Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026 Introduces SHE-Marts for Women's Economic Empowerment
The Uttar Pradesh state government announced on Sunday that the Budget 2026 proposal to establish Self Help Entrepreneur 'SHE-Marts' represents a transformative step toward women's empowerment across the state. This initiative aims to shift rural women from traditional loan-based livelihoods to becoming proud owners of their own enterprises.
From Loan Dependence to Enterprise Ownership
A state government spokesperson emphasized that "through this groundbreaking initiative, rural women will no longer remain limited to loan-based livelihoods. Instead, they will become owners of their own enterprises and write a new story of self-reliance." The budget specifically strengthens the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, under which Uttar Pradesh is conducting a massive campaign to make 3 crore women self-reliant.
What Are SHE-Marts?
SHE-Marts will be community-owned retail outlets developed under cluster-level federations. The primary objectives include:
- Providing women entrepreneurs with an organized, reliable, and sustainable platform for selling their products
- Building on the success of the 'Lakhpati Didi' program
- Presenting a clear roadmap to move women beyond loan-based livelihoods
Three-Level Support System
The spokesperson detailed that women-led rural enterprises will receive comprehensive support at three critical levels:
- Markets: Access to organized retail platforms through SHE-Marts
- Capital: Financial assistance and investment opportunities
- Networks: Connection to business networks and support systems
This multi-faceted approach is expected to inject new momentum into the rural economy while creating sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities.
Implementation Through State Rural Livelihood Mission
The government is systematically linking women to groups based on agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood possibilities across Uttar Pradesh. Under the State Rural Livelihood Mission, authorities are conducting door-to-door outreach programs that provide:
- Comprehensive training programs
- Immediate capital assistance
- Ongoing market support
This structured approach ensures that women entrepreneurs receive both the skills and resources necessary to establish and grow their enterprises successfully.
