In a significant move aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across India, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts during her Budget 2026-27 speech on Sunday. This initiative is designed to create community-owned retail outlets that will facilitate the sale of products manufactured by women-led self-help groups (SHGs), injecting fresh hope and economic vitality into the SHG ecosystem nationwide.
Building on the Lakhpati Didi Programme Success
During her budget presentation, Sitharaman emphasized that the new SHE Marts initiative builds directly on the achievements of the existing Lakhpati Didi Programme. The finance minister stated, “Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi Programme, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-led livelihoods to being owners of enterprises. SHE Marts will be set up as community-owned retail outlets within the cluster-level federations through enhanced and innovative financing instruments.”
Jharkhand's Pioneering Role in SHG Empowerment
Jharkhand has already established itself as a leader in the SHG sector, recording remarkable achievements that set a precedent for the rest of the country. The state has successfully mobilized approximately 39 lakh rural SHG members through the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), working systematically to transform these women from mere credit recipients into economically independent entrepreneurs.
State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Dipika Pandey Singh highlighted that Jharkhand has implemented numerous initiatives to transition rural women from being credit-dependent individuals to becoming proud business owners. Minister Singh told TOI, “Now that the Union finance minister mentioned SHE Marts in her budget speech, I am hopeful that it will strengthen the steps already taken by the Jharkhand government.”
How SHE Marts Will Transform Women's Entrepreneurship
The introduction of SHE Marts represents a strategic evolution in government support for women's economic participation:
- Community Ownership Model: These retail outlets will be owned and operated by the communities themselves, ensuring local control and sustainability.
- Enhanced Market Access: SHG products will gain direct access to retail markets, eliminating middlemen and increasing profit margins for women producers.
- Innovative Financing: The initiative will utilize enhanced financial instruments to support the establishment and operation of these community enterprises.
- Cluster-Level Implementation: SHE Marts will be established within existing cluster-level federations, leveraging established organizational structures.
National Implications and Future Prospects
While Jharkhand serves as a successful model, the SHE Marts initiative has nationwide implications for women's economic empowerment. This budget announcement signals the central government's commitment to scaling successful state-level programs into national policy frameworks. The initiative is expected to:
- Create sustainable livelihood opportunities for millions of women across rural India
- Strengthen the supply chain for locally produced goods
- Promote women's leadership in community economic development
- Integrate SHGs more effectively into the formal retail economy
The announcement comes at a crucial time when women's economic participation remains a priority for inclusive growth. By providing dedicated retail spaces for SHG products, the government aims to bridge the gap between production and market access, ultimately transforming women from participants in credit programs to owners of viable enterprises.
