Gujarat identifies 5.96 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ under rural livelihood mission

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Gujarat has identified more than 5.96 lakh women as “Lakhpati Didis” under the Centre’s rural livelihood programme aimed at helping members of self-help groups (SHGs) achieve annual household incomes of over ₹1 lakh, according to State government data released on Tuesday (June 9, 2026).

According to the Gujarat government, the State has identified nearly 10 lakh potential beneficiaries under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, a programme aimed at helping women associated with SHGs achieve annual household incomes exceeding ₹1 lakh through entrepreneurship and livelihood activities.

Officials said the programme is part of a broader push towards women-led development and financial empowerment through entrepreneurship, skill development, access to credit and market linkages.

According to officials, Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company has appointed 124 master trainers at district and taluka levels who, in turn, have trained more than 10,000 community resource persons, including Krishi Sakhis, Pashu Sakhis and Bank Sakhis, to support implementation of the scheme.

The government highlighted several beneficiaries as examples of the programme’s impact.

Bhavnaben Patel of Nogama village in Navsari district’s Chikhli taluka is one such beneficiary who has reported annual earnings of ₹10.16 lakh through a combination of canteen operations, catering services, agriculture and other activities.

Associated with the Gayatri Sakhi Mandal since 2014, Ms. Patel currently runs a canteen at Navsari Collectorate and also provides catering services along with other members of her self-help group.

According to official figures, her annual income comprises ₹2 lakh from the canteen business, ₹5 lakh from catering services, ₹1 lakh from agriculture and ₹2.16 lakh from other sources.

“Joining Sakhi Mandal has brought financial stability, improved my standard of living and increased my self-confidence,” Ms. Patel said in a stat