Chandigarh, 26 February 2026: The Bhagwant Mann Government will honour 14,100 women entrepreneurs across Punjab as part of International Women’s Day celebrations on 18 March under the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission (PSRLM). The initiative includes cash awards of ₹25,000 each for the top 100 women entrepreneurs at the state level.
Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that large-scale celebrations will be organised across constituencies, districts and at the state level. He highlighted major financial and organisational improvements since 2022, including a sharp decline in Non Performing Assets (NPAs) of Self Help Groups (SHGs) from 18 percent to just 2.16 percent.
14,100 Women Entrepreneurs to Be Felicitated
The Minister said that 100 Self Help Group women entrepreneurs from each constituency will be honoured, totaling 11,700 awards. In addition, 100 women from each of Punjab’s 23 districts, amounting to 2,300 entrepreneurs, will also be recognised.
At the state level, a special committee will select the top 100 women entrepreneurs, and each will receive a cash prize of ₹25,000. In total, 14,100 women entrepreneurs will be felicitated across Punjab.
Strong Growth in Self Help Groups Since 2022
Providing details of progress, the Minister stated that 28,734 Self Help Groups have been formed between 2022 and 2026, compared to 29,053 groups formed between 2011 and 2022.
During the last four years, 2,90,213 new members have joined SHGs, nearly matching the 2,97,083 members added over eleven years under previous governments.
Financial Support and Loan Expansion
The government has issued ₹53.03 crore as revolving funds to SHGs from 2022 to 2026, compared to ₹28.59 crore between 2011 and 2022. Similarly, ₹84.88 crore has been released as Community Investment Fund during this period.
Self Help Groups have availed loans worth ₹631.76 crore between 2022 and 2026, significantly higher than ₹171.13 crore between 2011 and 2022.
Importantly, the Non Performing Asset rate has dropped to 2.16 percent, compared to 18 percent earlier. The Minister said this reflects improved financial discipline among women entrepreneurs.
Six Lakh Rural Women Connected
Currently, around 58,000 Self Help Groups are active in Punjab, with nearly six lakh rural women associated with them. Each SHG receives ₹30,000 as revolving fund and ₹50,000 as Community Investment Fund. Women can also avail bank loans at an interest rate of 7 percent.
So far, SHG members have taken bank loans amounting to ₹802.89 crore, with an NPA rate of just around 2 percent, showing timely repayment.
During recent floods, the government provided approximately ₹18 crore in interest-free assistance to purchase 3,000 cattle, further supporting rural livelihoods.
Economic and Social Empowerment
The Minister said the main objective of PSRLM is to strengthen women from rural poor families by linking them with Self Help Groups. Women are actively involved in savings, credit management, small businesses, cottage industries, agriculture-related activities and service sectors.
Many rural women have become entrepreneurs in their villages, generating employment and inspiring other families. Along with financial assistance, PSRLM provides skill training, market linkages, banking support and access to social security schemes.
The government stated that these efforts are increasing household incomes and improving the social status of rural women across Punjab.
