CHANDIGARH – The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, will celebrate Punjab women entrepreneurs on International Women’s Day, 18 March, by honouring 14,100 rural women across constituencies, districts, and at the state level. The top 100 entrepreneurs will each receive ₹25,000 in recognition of their contributions to the rural economy under the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission (PSRLM).
Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that this initiative will highlight the growth of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and the increasing role of Punjab women entrepreneurs in driving rural economic progress.
Large-Scale Recognition for Punjab Women Entrepreneurs
Minister Sond stated, “From each constituency, 100 Punjab women entrepreneurs will be felicitated, totaling 11,700 women across the state. Additionally, 2,300 women from 23 districts will receive awards, and the top 100 at the state level will each be given ₹25,000. Overall, 14,100 women entrepreneurs will be recognised under PSRLM.”
He emphasized that this initiative empowers rural women economically, enabling them to participate in savings, credit management, small enterprises, cottage industries, agricultural allied activities, and service sectors. Many Punjab women entrepreneurs have created employment opportunities in their villages, inspiring others to follow their example.
Punjab Achievements in SHG Growth and Financial Support
Since 2022, the state has formed 28,734 Self Help Groups, compared to 29,053 between 2011 and 2022. During this period, 2,90,213 women joined SHGs, highlighting the rapid growth of Punjab women entrepreneurs.
Also read : Punjab Government Takes Strict Action Against Obscene Portrayal of Women in Ads : Dr. Baljit Kaur
Village organizations have also increased to 2,427 from 1,806, and ₹53.03 crore has been issued as revolving funds to SHGs from 2022 to 2026, compared to ₹28.59 crore under previous governments. Loans availed by members have surged to ₹631.76 crore, and the Non Performing Assets (NPA) rate has drastically dropped to 2.16% from 18%, reflecting financial discipline and responsible management among Punjab women entrepreneurs.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੈਲਫ਼ ਹੈਲਪ ਗਰੁੱਪਾਂ ਦੀ ਭਲਾਈ ਲਈ ਮਾਨ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਕਦਮ!
ਕੈਬਿਨੇਟ ਮੰਤਰੀ @TarunpreetSond ਨੇ ਰਿਵਾਇਤੀ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਕੜਿਆਂ ਸਮੇਤ ਦੱਸੇ ਵੇਰਵੇ
👉🏻 2011 ਤੋਂ 2022 ਤੱਕ ਮਿਲਿਆ Revolving Fund – ਕੁੱਲ ₹28.59 ਕਰੋੜ (20,065 ਗਰੁੱਪਾਂ ਨੂੰ 11 ਸਾਲਾਂ ‘ਚ)
👉🏻 2022 ਤੋਂ 2026 ਦੌਰਾਨ… pic.twitter.com/dvWaAGUJ4E— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) February 26, 2026
Holistic Support for Punjab Women Entrepreneurs
Under PSRLM, Punjab women entrepreneurs are connected with financial assistance, skill development, market linkages, banking support, and social security schemes. Currently, 58,000 SHGs operate in Punjab, involving approximately six lakh rural women.
The state provides ₹30,000 as revolving funds, ₹50,000 under the Community Investment Fund, and loans at a 7% interest rate. Total loans availed by beneficiaries amount to ₹802.89 crore. During floods, the government provided ₹18 crore interest-free assistance for purchasing 3,000 cattle.
Vision of ‘Sashakt Mahila, Sashakt Punjab’
Minister Sond stated, “The main objective of PSRLM is to make Punjab women entrepreneurs economically strong and self-reliant. These women are not only boosting household incomes but also improving social status in their villages. We encourage everyone to connect more women with SHGs to realise the dream of ‘Sashakt Mahila, Sashakt Punjab’.”