Over 1,000 SHG Women Working as Bima Sakhis; Earned More Than ₹2 Crore in Commissions in Six Months
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is intensifying its efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and self-reliance in rural areas through the LIC Bima Sakhi Programme, with Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya describing the initiative as a transformative model that is creating sustainable livelihoods while strengthening the rural economy.
Under the programme, women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are being trained and engaged as LIC Bima Sakhis, enabling them to build dignified careers through self-employment while expanding insurance awareness and financial security in villages across the state.
Maurya said the government’s objective is not merely to make women beneficiaries of welfare schemes but to transform them into active participants and leaders in the state’s development process. He said the LIC Bima Sakhi Programme reflects this vision by providing rural women with opportunities for financial independence while promoting financial literacy and inclusion.
He noted that the initiative is generating additional income for women and helping spread awareness about insurance and financial protection among rural households. According to the Deputy Chief Minister, Bima Sakhis are not only strengthening the financial position of their own families but are also emerging as ambassadors of financial literacy, social awareness and women empowerment in their communities.
Maurya expressed confidence that the state’s women-centric initiatives, coupled with the active participation of self-help groups, would further accelerate women’s economic empowerment and provide fresh momentum to the rural economy.
According to information shared by the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), the programme has received more than 4,900 applications, with over 1,000 women from self-help groups already working successfully as LIC Bima Sakhis.
The mission has given priority to experienced community cadres such as BC Sakhis, Bank Sakhis and other grassroots volunteers, leveraging their strong community connect and public trust to expand insurance services in rural areas.
In a significant achievement, the Bima Sakhis have collectively earned more than ₹2 crore in commissions within just six months, highlighting the programme’s potential to create sustainable income opportunities for rural women.
Officials said the initiative demonstrates that with the right training, opportunities and institutional support, women can become key drivers of economic growth while contributing to greater financial security and inclusive development across rural Uttar Pradesh.
