Women’s self-employment and empowerment play a crucial role in the nation’s overall development, stated Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy. He emphasized that the Prime Minister has prioritized women’s empowerment as a key factor in economic progress. The Finance Minister made these remarks while inaugurating Punjab National Bank’s Agri Outreach Program at Agartala Town Hall.
During the event, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, noting that India currently ranks fifth in the global economy. The outreach program was organized as part of the Prime Minister’s “Formation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises” scheme under the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries. As part of this initiative, Punjab National Bank distributed cheques worth ₹2.3 crore to 35 women’s self-help groups. Similar programs were held at 138 locations nationwide.
The Finance Minister also highlighted the rapid expansion of self-help groups in Tripura. He noted that before 2018, there were only 4,150 such groups in the state. By December 2024, the number had risen to 52,355, with a total of 4,77,000 members. He further stated that 91,000 women have now become “Lakhpati Didis,” earning over ₹1 lakh annually, and the government aims to connect more women with self-help groups to enhance their financial independence.
Addressing agricultural and farmers’ welfare, he reiterated that agriculture forms the backbone of the Indian economy. To strengthen this sector, the Prime Minister launched the PM Dhan Dhan Yojana in 100 districts across India. The Union Budget for this year also raised the Kisan Credit Card loan limit from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, benefiting 7.7 crore farmers. Additionally, the PM Mudra Loan limit was increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh. The government has also extended free food grain distribution to 80 crore people until 2028.
Speaking about Tripura’s agricultural growth, the Finance Minister stated that the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and per capita income are steadily rising. Farmers’ average monthly income has nearly doubled from ₹6,550 to approximately ₹13,000.
The event was attended by key banking officials, including Punjab National Bank’s Managing Director and CEO Ashok Chandra, RBI General Manager Surendra Nidar, and NABARD General Manager Anil S. Kotmere. Punjab National Bank’s Zonal Manager Chittaranjan Pust delivered the welcome speech, while Tripura Gramin Bank Chairman Satyendra Singh and TRLM CEO Ajit Shru Das were also present. The Finance Minister and other dignitaries handed over loan cheques to self-help groups. A video presentation on Punjab National Bank’s self-help group initiatives and the Agri Infra Fund was also showcased. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Punjab National Bank’s Deputy General Manager, Rituraj Krishna.
Following the event, the Finance Minister and other dignitaries visited stalls set up by self-help groups. Punjab National Bank’s MD and CEO later held a press conference, highlighting that on February 6 and 7, the bank organized events at 150 locations nationwide 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 solar power scheme.
