Uttarakhand crosses 3 lakh mark in Lakhpati Didis
Uttarakhand Crosses 3 Lakh Mark in Lakhpati Didis Programme
Bharatmorningnews.com – The state of Uttarakhand has achieved a remarkable milestone as it crosses 3 lakh mark in Lakhpati Didis. Official government statistics reveal that 3,03,696 women across the state have now joined the ranks of Lakhpati Didis, earning more than ₹1 lakh annually by the end of the financial year 2025-26. This achievement represents a significant step forward in women’s economic empowerment and rural development in the Himalayan state.
Understanding the Lakhpati Didi Initiative
The Lakhpati Didi programme was launched in November 2022 under the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission. The primary vision behind this initiative is to transform the economic landscape by enabling women to become financially independent. Through this programme, women connected to self-help groups access government grants and credit facilities to engage in various income-generating activities.
These activities span across multiple sectors including organic agriculture, food processing, spice manufacturing, handicraft development, dairy operations, beekeeping, mushroom farming, and homestay services. The diversity of livelihood options ensures that women from different regions and backgrounds can participate according to their skills and local resources.
Infrastructure Development Supporting Growth
To ensure that products reach wider markets, the administration has established comprehensive infrastructure. The state has created 24 growth centres, 33 nano packaging units, and 17 Saras centres across various districts. These facilities play a crucial role in processing, packaging, and distributing products made by women’s self-help groups.
The House of Himalayas brand has emerged as a significant platform for showcasing goods produced by rural artisans and women entrepreneurs. Through Saras fairs held at district, state, and national levels, local products gain visibility among broader consumer bases. Government officials highlight that improved packaging, branding strategies, and quality standards have driven higher demand from metropolitan areas.
Organizational Framework and Women’s Participation
The programme’s organizational structure is extensive, with more than 5.19 lakh women currently participating in the rural livelihood mission. These women are organized across 13 districts and 95 blocks, belonging to 70,767 self-help groups, 8,179 village organisations, and 615 cluster-level federations. This hierarchical structure ensures effective coordination and support at every level.
As Uttarakhand crosses 3 lakh mark in Lakhpati Didis, officials have set ambitious targets for the future. The administration plans to convert an additional 1.12 lakh women into Lakhpati Didis during the 2026-27 period. Various departments are actively collaborating to complete this objective before the scheduled deadline, ensuring sustained momentum in women’s economic empowerment.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that women are taking a leading position in Uttarakhand’s social and economic advancement. This milestone reflects the collective effort of women, government departments, and local communities in transforming lives through sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Policy Support and Future Directions
The government has introduced several policy measures to support women’s participation in economic activities. A 30% horizontal reservation has been allocated for women in government employment, alongside 33% reservation within cooperative societies. These policy interventions create an enabling environment for women to access opportunities across sectors.
Additional initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, livelihood generation, drone technology, and solar energy further strengthen the programme. The administration has noted that the initiative has consistently outperformed its yearly objectives ahead of established timelines, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lakhpati Didi programme? The Lakhpati Didi programme is an initiative launched in November 2022 under the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission. It aims to enable women to earn more than ₹1 lakh annually through various livelihood activities.
How many women have achieved Lakhpati status in Uttarakhand? According to official data, 3,03,696 women have crossed the ₹1 lakh annual income threshold, making Uttarakhand the first state to cross 3 lakh mark in Lakhpati Didis.
What activities do Lakhpati Didis engage in? Women participate in diverse activities including organic agriculture, food processing, spice manufacturing, handicraft development, dairy operations, beekeeping, mushroom farming, and homestay services.
What is the future target for the programme? Officials have announced plans to convert an additional 1.12 lakh women into Lakhpati Didis throughout the 2026-27 period through coordinated efforts of various departments.
How does the programme support market access? The administration has created 24 growth centres, 33 nano packaging units, and 17 Saras centres. Through Saras fairs and the House of Himalayas brand, local products gain access to broader consumer markets at district, state, and national levels.