The Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh, launched the ‘SAMARTH Campaign on Promoting Digital Transactions in 50,000 Gram Panchayats’ under the AmritMahotsav in Lucknow. The campaign is being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and started on February 1, 2023, and will continue until August 15, 2023, as part of the AzadiKaAmritMahotsav celebrations. The main focus of the campaign is to promote digital transactions in rural areas, with a special emphasis on women.
During the launch, Minister Giriraj Singh commended the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for reducing their Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) from 9.58% in 2013 to below 2% now, under the inspirational leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He urged banks to recognize the outstanding credit performance of SHG members and facilitate loans for them based on their remarkable performance. The Minister also acknowledged the contribution of Business Correspondent (BC) Sakhis in India’s digital economy and highlighted India’s global example in women’s empowerment.
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, emphasized the digital transformation brought about by BC Sakhis in the state. He mentioned that BC Sakhis in Uttar Pradesh alone have facilitated over 5 crore 57 lakh transactions, providing doorstep banking services to a vast population, including those in remote areas. He also highlighted that the digital Gram Sachivalays being established in villages in Uttar Pradesh will provide the services of Bank Sakhis.
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State for Rural Development, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, congratulated the BC Sakhis for their remarkable contribution in bringing banking services to underserved citizens across the country. She acknowledged the multifaceted role of Indian women who not only manage households but also play a crucial role in taking banking services to every corner of the country.
Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri K P Maurya, recognized the increased earning potential of BC Sakhis and their growing prominence within their homes and society. He emphasized that this transformation is empowering women in rural areas of India.
The event included the participation of Minister of State for Rural Development and Steel, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, through an online mode. Smt. Vijay Laxmi Gautam, Minister of State for Rural Development, Govt of UP, was also present at the event.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, provided an overview of the #SAMARTH campaign and the milestones achieved under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
The event featured the unveiling of a compendium containing 75 inspirational tales of BC Sakhis. BC Sakhis shared live testimonies of their transformative journeys in the presence of the distinguished audience. Biometric Point of Sale (PoS) machines were distributed to BC Sakhis, and appointment letters were handed over to newly appointed BC Sakhis.
Approximately 1,000 BC Sakhis from across India participated in the event in Lucknow, while State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) and other stakeholders joined through webcasts. The event was also livestreamed on social media platforms.
