District headquarters will host job fairs and special programmes on the day. Women from self-help groups and small businesses will take part in these events. They will share success stories and guide others on how to start small enterprises.

Experts will provide information about government schemes that support women entrepreneurs. Officers will also offer practical advice on improving income and expanding businesses.

Bihar has formed more than 11 lakh self-help groups in recent years. These groups have helped many women earn steady incomes and support their families.

The state hopes this step will turn March 8 into a day of action and opportunity for women.

The post Mahila Rojgar Diwas to Replace International Women’s Day in Bihar appeared first on India Podcast.

The Bihar government transferred the money through direct benefit transfer (DBT). Each beneficiary received ₹10,000 directly in her bank account. The total amount released in this phase reached around ₹2,500 crore.

Officials said the scheme supports women linked to self-help groups across rural and urban areas. The financial aid will help them buy tools, invest in small trades, or expand existing work.

The government has already supported crores of women through similar programs in the past. Leaders believe this financial assistance will improve household income and increase women’s participation in local economic activities across the state.

The post Nitish Kumar Sends ₹10,000 to 25 Lakh Women’s Bank Account in Major Bihar Push appeared first on India Podcast.

The MLA highlighted the launch of the ‘Mana Dabbulu-Mana Lekkalu’ mobile app, which ensures transparency in SHG transactions. He said the app prevents fraud and helps even illiterate women access their financial details easily. Prasad credited this reform to CM Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh.

Prasad noted that women SHGs have a 99% loan repayment rate, much higher than industrial borrowers, who default at around 30%. He said this success reflects women’s commitment to financial discipline.

He added that the loan limit for SHGs has increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹8 lakh. Under Vidyalakshmi and Kalyanalakshmi schemes, loans for education and marriage are available at 4% interest, while SC and ST women receive interest-free loans. He urged women to seize these opportunities for financial independence.

The post Naidu Empowering Women Through Self-Help Groups: MLA Daggupati Prasad appeared first on India Podcast.

Sivanath emphasized employment generation as crucial for achieving Viksit Bharat and Swarnandhra 2047 goals. He added that self-help groups (SHGs) will receive skill development training in collaboration with NIRD. Furthermore, essential machinery will be supplied for seed banks, tribal clothing, jewellery design, product expansion, and vermicompost preparation.

He requested support from the district administration to establish common facility centres at A Kondur and Jakkampudi, areas with significant SC/ST populations. Meanwhile, NIRD Director General Dr G Narendra Kumar explained the Rural Prosperity & Rural Resilience programme. He highlighted that SHGs will gain training under the “One Family-One Entrepreneur” initiative. Additionally, micro-enterprises will expand through SHG clusters, receiving orders from major companies to boost economic growth.

Collector Lakshmisha confirmed steps to build the centres and prepare a Detailed Project Report for A Kondur. He noted that 25 out of 40 aspirational block indices have reached saturation. Consequently, A Kondur will develop following the successful models. Several district officials attended the programme, and discussions focused on practical steps for rural empowerment.

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During a review meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that women’s products get proper marketing support. He asked departments like MEPMA and SERP to focus on identifying talented women and providing them with technology and business guidance. The ‘Mana Mitra’ app and ‘Avani’ brand were launched to enhance digital access and global branding.

Chandrababu Naidu also suggested that officials verify how quickly DWCRA groups are receiving bank loans. He recommended appointing fund managers to help women utilize financial aid more effectively.

Currently, DWCRA women have collective savings of ₹20,739 crore and repay over 90% of their loans. The Chief Minister said the government aims to transform these women into entrepreneurs through training and better market linkages.

The post AP Launches ‘Avani’ Brand to Empower DWCRA Women appeared first on India Podcast.

Speaking at the event, she highlighted initiatives like soil health cards, financial assistance, fertilisers, and increased MSP for foodgrains and pulses. Sitharaman noted that the new processing unit can handle 133 metric tonnes of tur, 100 metric tonnes of chickpeas, and 76 metric tonnes of mixed pulses annually, enabling farmers to get better prices and reduce dependency on middlemen.

The minister emphasised that this initiative will empower farmers, support farmer producer organisations (FPOs), promote holistic rural development, and create sustainable livelihoods for self-help groups and rural entrepreneurs. The programme aims to make the Raichur district’s agricultural ecosystem robust and market-driven, enhancing production quality and shelf life of pulses.

Earlier, Sitharaman interacted with over 60 interns of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) in Hampi. She engaged with representatives from companies like Infosys, IBM, TCS, HAL, and NMDC, encouraging interns on professional growth, skills development, and contributions to India’s development journey.

The post FM Sitharaman Launches Pulse Processing Centre in Raichur appeared first on India Podcast.

The initiative, part of Project ‘Swabhimaan’, featured 20 stalls at Adani offices, Mantralaya, World Trade Centre, and Mumbai Airport T2. Over 4,500 women participated, with training in food hygiene, preparation, and safety provided by IHM and FSSAI. A cloud kitchen facility supported aspiring food entrepreneurs.

Since its 2022 launch, Project ‘Swabhimaan’ has trained women in financial literacy, business planning, and entrepreneurship. The programme facilitated credit linkages worth Rs 4.81 crore for 171 self-help groups, benefiting 1,224 members and enabling over 500 women to start their own businesses. Average incomes increased by 29 per cent.

Adani Electricity and the Adani Foundation highlighted the long-term vision of sustainable community development. The Swateja Mart initiative not only boosted livelihoods but also encouraged self-reliance and confidence, providing a pathway for women to become financially independent and entrepreneurial leaders.

The post Swateja Mart Empowers Women Entrepreneurs appeared first on India Podcast.

During the visit, the Chief Minister will also interact with sanitation workers at a health camp, acknowledging their service. In a major boost to women’s empowerment, he is set to distribute a cheque worth ₹2 crore to members of local self-help groups.

Additionally, Chandrababu will honor municipal commissioners and representatives of educational institutions in recognition of their contributions to development and public service. The program highlights his government’s focus on cleanliness, public health, and women’s welfare, while also encouraging active participation from local bodies. The event is expected to draw significant attention from the community and local leadership.

The post ### CM Chandrababu to Visit Macherla Today appeared first on India Podcast.

Among these, *women voters dominate the rolls with 85,35,935 names, compared to **81,66,732 male voters. This shows that women outnumber men by more than **4 lakh voters*, a factor that could play a crucial role in shaping the electoral outcome.

Officials note that the higher female participation reflects increasing awareness and empowerment among rural women, who are expected to influence local governance significantly. Political parties are likely to adjust their strategies accordingly, with a greater focus on welfare schemes, self-help groups, and women-centric development programs to attract this decisive voter segment.

The post Women Outnumber Men in Voter Lists for Telangana Local Elections: EC appeared first on India Podcast.