Manipur Launches Women Empowerment Initiative to Boost Female Entrepreneurship
The Manipur government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing female entrepreneurship and supporting self-help groups.
Imphal, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : The government of Manipur has announced the launch of the ‘Women Empowerment Manipur’ scheme, designed to foster female entrepreneurship across the state. This initiative aims to improve the income of women members in self-help groups (SHGs).
The guidelines for this program were issued by the state’s planning department on November 10. The goal is to transform up to 350,000 women from SHGs into successful micro-entrepreneurs through financial assistance, bank linkages, and entrepreneurship development. Eligible women beneficiaries will receive financial support in three phases over three financial years starting in 2026-27.
In the first year (2026-27), each eligible beneficiary will receive ₹10,000 as seed capital to either start a new micro-enterprise or enhance an existing income-generating activity.
In the second year (2027-28), those who effectively utilize the initial amount will be eligible for an interest-free loan of up to ₹20,000 from a scheduled or cooperative bank. The state government will cover the interest on this loan. Additionally, if beneficiaries repay 50% of the principal on time, they will receive a capital subsidy equivalent to 25% of the loan amount directly into their bank accounts.
During the third year (2028-29), beneficiaries who successfully complete the second-year phase will qualify for an additional interest-free loan of up to ₹20,000 to further expand their enterprises, with the interest again covered by the state.
To apply for this scheme, women must be at least 18 years old and members of recognized SHGs. Their annual family income should be below ₹3 lakh, and they must possess a valid, Aadhaar-linked savings bank account. For loans in the second and third years, applicants must be under 65 years of age at the time of application.
A self-help group is considered eligible if it comprises 10 to 20 women members who share a bank account, have conducted their first meeting with proper records, and possess their own sub-rules. SHGs formed or registered under various government schemes, including the Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission and the National Urban Livelihood Mission, will be recognized. Newly formed SHGs not covered by government schemes can also gain recognition through certification by authorized competent authorities.
This initiative will span all districts and blocks in Manipur, targeting a total of 350,000 women beneficiaries. A state-level committee, chaired by the chief secretary, will oversee the implementation, selection, monitoring, and evaluation of the scheme. District-level committees, led by respective deputy commissioners, will verify applications and recommend eligible beneficiaries to the state committee. Applications will generally be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility.
The planning department will serve as the nodal implementing agency, developing a dedicated online portal and mobile application to manage application receipt, verification, fund distribution, and beneficiary monitoring.
Additionally, the guidelines stipulate that a mandatory one-day entrepreneurship training program will be held for selected beneficiaries before the release of seed funds. A key member from each SHG will be chosen as a ‘master trainer’ to provide necessary training to other group members.
All financial assistance under this scheme will be disbursed via Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The implementation and outcomes of the program will undergo annual reviews, while financial accounts and fund distribution will be subject to regular audits by the Local Fund Audit, Manipur.
