By Firstdespatch Desk Mar 01, 2025
Agartala, Mar 1 (FD) Women’s self-employment and empowerment are essential for the overall development of the country. To achieve this goal, the Prime Minister has emphasized women’s empowerment. In the state, the activities of self-help groups have now turned into a movement. While inaugurating the Punjab National Bank's Agri Outreach Program at Agartala Town Hall today, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy made these remarks.
During the event, the Finance Minister stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working towards transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. Currently, India ranks fifth in the global economy. Under the initiative of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the Punjab National Bank organized this event as part of the Prime Minister’s “Formation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises” scheme. During the event, the bank distributed cheques amounting to ₹2.3 crore to 35 women’s self-help groups. Similar programs were held at 138 locations across the country today.
Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy further mentioned that before 2018, the number of self-help groups in the state was 4,150. As of December 2024, the number has increased to 52,355, with 4,77,000 members, including both men and women. A total of 91,000 women have now become “Lakhpati Didis” (women earning over ₹1 lakh annually). The government aims to connect more women with self-help groups.
Referring to agriculture and farmers’ welfare, the Finance Minister emphasized that the foundation of the country’s economy is agriculture and related sectors. To strengthen this sector, the Prime Minister has launched the PM Dhan Dhan Yojana in 100 districts across the country. Previously, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan limit was ₹3 lakh, but this year’s Union Budget has increased it to ₹5 lakh, benefiting 7.7 crore farmers. Additionally, the PM Mudra Loan limit has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh. The Prime Minister has also ensured the distribution of free food grains to 80 crore people in the country until 2028.
Regarding Tripura’s farmers, the Finance Minister stated that the state’s agricultural and allied sectors are progressing steadily. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and per capita income are increasing. Previously, a farmer's average monthly income in the state was ₹6,550, which has now risen to approximately ₹13,000.
The event was also attended by Punjab National Bank’s Managing Director and CEO Ashok Chandra, RBI General Manager Surendra Nidar, and NABARD General Manager Anil S. Kotmere. The welcome speech was delivered by Punjab National Bank’s Zonal Manager Chittaranjan Pust. Also present were Tripura Gramin Bank Chairman Satyendra Singh and TRLM CEO Ajit Shru Das. The Finance Minister and other dignitaries handed over loan cheques to the self-help groups during the event. A video presentation on self-help groups under Punjab National Bank and the Agri Infra Fund was showcased. The vote of thanks was delivered by Punjab National Bank’s Deputy General Manager, Rituraj Krishna.
After the event, the Finance Minister and other guests visited various stalls set up by self-help groups. Following the inaugural program, Punjab National Bank’s MD and CEO held a press conference at Town Hall, where he mentioned that on February 6 and 7, the bank organized events at 150 locations across the country to promote housing loans and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. During these events, ₹10,000 crore worth of housing loan applications were processed, along with applications for 1,000 beneficiaries under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. FD SB JK