“Lakhpati Didi” campaign empowering women and shaping a new prosperity story in Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister interacts with women at “Lakhpati Didi Samvad” programme in Raipur on International Women’s Day
Raipur, March 7, 2026//
Women in Chhattisgarh are building a new identity through self-reliance, hard work and innovation, and the state government is continuously working to strengthen their economic empowerment. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated this while addressing the “Lakhpati Didi Samvad” programme organised at the Indoor Stadium in Raipur on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Thousands of women associated with self-help groups and several “Lakhpati Didis” from across the state participated enthusiastically in the programme.
The Chief Minister stated that in Indian culture, women are regarded as a symbol of strength and that “where women are respected, prosperity and harmony flourish.” He noted that earlier women were largely confined to household responsibilities. But today, women in Chhattisgarh are becoming economically empowered through self-help groups and are playing a vital role in strengthening the rural economy.
He added that the government aims to further empower Lakhpati Didis so that every woman in villages can become financially independent, ultimately paving the way for the creation of “Lakhpati villages” across the state.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that under the call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state has set a target of creating 10 lakh Lakhpati Didis in Chhattisgarh. At present, more than 8 lakh women have achieved Lakhpati Didi status, reflecting the initiative’s success. The government has now set an even higher goal of creating more than 10 lakh Lakhpati Didis in the coming years.
He also highlighted that the state government has approved 18 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for rural families, and women associated with Bihan self-help groups are playing an important role in the construction and implementation.
The Chief Minister stated that the Mahtari Vandan Yojana has been launched to ensure respect and financial empowerment of women. Under the scheme, more than Rs. 15,000 crore has already been transferred in 24 instalments to nearly 70 lakh women across the state. In the current state budget, a provision of Rs. 8,200 crore has been made to continue the scheme.
He further stated that more than 8 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have already become self-reliant through the Lakhpati Didi Yojana. The state government is also launching the Lakhpati Didi Brahman Yojana, under which these women will be given exposure visits to important business centres and prominent religious sites across the country. The Chief Minister informed that the Panchayat Department will construct 250 Mahtari Sadans, and provisions have also been made in the budget for Anganwadi operations and nutrition programmes. Additionally, the Rani Durgavati Yojana will soon be introduced to provide financial security for girls, under which Rs. 1.5 lakh will be provided upon a girl’s 18th birthday.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Lakhpati Didis are inspiring women across the state, and the government now aims to help them move forward from “Lakhpati Didi to Crorepati Didi.” He added that the newly launched Goat Rearing Cluster Project will promote livestock-based livelihoods in the state. He also announced that the establishment of incubation centres and a Memorandum of Understanding with IIM Raipur will help increase the income of self-help groups. According to him, women will play a crucial role in building a “developed Chhattisgarh.” The Chief Minister emphasised that women in villages are now contributing to diverse sectors—from providing centring plates for construction to operating drones—showing how rapidly their roles are expanding in modern rural economies. He reiterated that “when a woman is educated, two families and the entire society progress together”.
During the programme, the Chief Minister released a coffee table book based on the success stories of Lakhpati Didis and a brand book inspired by Chhattisgarhi art traditions. He also launched the Lakhpati Didi Gram Portal, which will evaluate Gram Panchayats and declare them “Lakhpati Didi Villages” based on women’s economic progress. Women from self-help groups, community cadres, and Lakhpati Didis who have achieved outstandingly were honoured during the event.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma stated that women in Chhattisgarh are rapidly progressing towards self-reliance. He recalled that earlier, many people believed that making women financially prosperous was difficult, but today, eight lakh women in the state have already become Lakhpati Didis. He expressed confidence that, in the coming years, these women will move from being Lakhpati Didis to Crorepati Didis, setting new examples of success and entrepreneurship.
Women from various districts shared inspiring stories of transformation through self-help groups. Rajkumari Kashyap, a Lakhpati Didi from Darbha block in Bastar district, said there was a time when even travelling by motorcycle in her region was difficult. Today, she has become financially independent. Her family depends on agriculture, and through poultry farming, she now earns Rs. 6–7 lakh annually.
Bhuneswari Sahu from Balod district shared that she began her journey with a loan of Rs. 20,000 to start a tailoring business. Later, she received drone pilot training through a government initiative and is now popularly known as “Drone Didi” in her area.
Anita Sahu, a Lakhpati Didi from Jashpur district, said she works in the brick manufacturing industry. She recalled that earlier, even contributing Rs. 10 in weekly group meetings was difficult, but today she has achieved financial stability and become a Lakhpati Didi.
Principal Secretary Smt Niharika Barik Singh informed that more than 8 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have become Lakhpati Didis, including nearly one lakh women from Naxal-affected regions. She added that 30.85 lakh women have become economically self-reliant by joining 10.26 lakh self-help groups across the state.
The programme was attended by Revenue and Higher Education Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma, Women and Child Development Minister Smt Laxmi Rajwade, Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, MLA Shri Sunil Soni, Secretary Shri Bhim Singh, Raipur Division Commissioner Shri Mahadev Kavre, Collector Dr. Gaurav Singh, Mission Director Shri Ashwani Dewangan, and a large number of Lakhpati Didis and self-help group members.
