Lucknow: In a significant step toward realizing the vision of making women financially self-reliant under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ mission, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday launched three new livelihood-oriented programmes aimed at increasing the income of women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
The programmes were inaugurated during a meeting held at the Circuit House auditorium under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Minister. As part of the initiative, five women from Self-Help Groups were provided e-rickshaws, marking the beginning of a broader plan to connect 250 women in the district with e-rickshaw operations.
E-Rickshaw and Pink Auto Programme Launched
Under the e-rickshaw and Pink Auto Programme, women SHG members are being empowered with sustainable livelihood options. Deputy CM Maurya said the initiative would strengthen the foundation of women empowerment and accelerate income growth among rural women.
He highlighted that women like Poonam from Munari village are already earning up to ₹1,800 per day by operating e-rickshaws, showcasing the programme’s potential to transform lives.
Gram Panchayat Barat Ghar Operations
To further promote local employment, agreements were signed between three Gram Organizations (SHG federations) and three Gram Panchayats—Raghunathpur and Basehupur (Sevapuri block), and Sivo (Chiraigaon block)—for the operation of newly constructed Barat Ghars at the village level.
The objective is to provide affordable venues and catering services for social functions within villages while creating employment opportunities for SHG women. Currently, action is underway to operationalize 60 Barat Ghars across the district. The Deputy Chief Minister also directed officials to survey other Gram Panchayats for similar constructions.
Pink Auto Partnership and Skill Training
An agreement was also signed between GMR VR Laxmi Group and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) to deploy 160 Pink Auto operators in Varanasi. Under this partnership, SHG women will receive Pink Autos, driving training, and assistance in obtaining driving licenses.
The GMR VR Laxmi Group will contribute ₹35,000 per auto from its CSR funds. Deputy CM Maurya instructed officials to ensure that e-autos are procured at the most economical rates after proper market comparison.
Additionally, under a collaboration between Development Alternatives (DA) and UPSRLM, women received structured one-week driving training. Through the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan, loans of up to ₹2.5 lakh are being facilitated to help women acquire e-rickshaws. At present, 30 women have received e-rickshaws, while 108 women have completed training. Women beneficiaries are now earning ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per month on average.
Beneficiaries Honoured
The women beneficiaries who received e-rickshaws included Parvati Devi, Pooja Devi, Mala Devi, Poonam Devi, and Sangeeta Devi, representing various blocks of the district. Sharing her experience, Poonam Devi said the e-rickshaw has significantly improved her family’s financial condition.
Call for SHG-Run Canteens
Deputy CM Maurya also directed officials to open SHG-run canteens at district training institutes, railway stations, and other institutions. He emphasized that such initiatives would help achieve the broader goal of making one crore women ‘Lakhpati Didis’ across Uttar Pradesh.
District Panchayat President Poonam Maurya, MLA Saurabh Srivastava, District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar, Chief Development Officer Prakhar Kumar Singh, and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
The initiative marks a major milestone in strengthening women-led livelihoods and transforming SHG members into successful micro-entrepreneurs across the state.
