Goa govt aims to create 11,000 Lakhpati Didis this financial year

With the implementation of schemes for livelihood in rural areas, the Goa government has set a target of having at least 11,000 'Lakhpati Didis' in the state by the end of the current financial year, an official said on Tuesday. Deepali Naik, project director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), said under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission, 3,804 self-help groups (SHGs) have been formed, covering 48,306 members. "The SHGs are supported with Rs 1,952.78 lakh from the community investment fund (CIF) released through village organisations (VOs) and revolving fund of Rs 828.04 lakh," she said. A Lakhpati Didi is a member of a self-help group (SHG) who earns an annual household income of more than Rs 1 lakh. Naik said 184 village organisations have received start-up funds of Rs 137.49 lakh, and 791 SHGs have availed bank loans amounting to Rs 3,646.96 lakh. The GSRLM has created self-employment, livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for 23,556 SHG members, she