Budget 2026–27 focuses on women-led enterprise, empowerment and development: Anurag Singh Thakur

Shimla(The Uttam Hindu): Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, welcomed the Budget 2026–27, calling it a significant and important budget for the development of India's women. Officials of the Women Entrepreneur Organization of Rajasthan met Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in Parliament House today and praised the budget, calling it a bold and decisive budget in the interest of women.

Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur said, “In the last 12 years, under the leadership of our respected Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, the social and economic empowerment of women in India has reached new heights. This year, the 2026-27 Budget presented by the Honorable Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, represents a historic expansion of women-focused economic reforms. Today, during a meeting at Parliament House, officials from the Women Entrepreneurs' Group of Rajasthan praised this budget, calling it a bold and decisive budget in the interest of women and entrepreneurs. These women entrepreneurs have decided to soon come to Himachal and expand their industries and products here, which is welcome.”

Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur said, “The 2026-27 Budget will emerge as a reference in the history of women empowerment as it is India's largest gender-responsive budget to date. The Modi government has allocated 9.37% of the total budget for women's equality and empowerment. This time, our government has allocated Rs. 5 lakh crore for the welfare of women and girls, which is more than the previous budget.” This is 11.36% more than in 2019. To empower women, we have decided to link the Lakhpati Didi Scheme with the Self-Help Entrepreneur Marts (SHEMARTS), which were launched in 2023. Under this scheme, 1,48,32,258 (one crore, forty-eight lakh, thirty-two thousand two hundred fifty-eight) women have become Lakhpati Didis, and our target is to make three crore women Lakhpati Didis by 2027.”

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur highlighted the budget increase to ₹1,07,688.42 crore, with 100% allocation for schemes for women and girls. This substantial funding is spread across housing, livelihoods, security, education, health, nutrition, and entrepreneurship, ensuring a life-cycle-based approach to women's empowerment. A major emphasis of the budget is on women's economic empowerment and livelihoods. Shri Thakur highlighted the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), for which ₹19,200 crore has been allocated in 2026–27, which provides credit, skills, and sustainable income opportunities to millions of women Self-Help Group (SHG) members. He commended the continued support for women farmers and agri-entrepreneurs through initiatives like NAMO Drone Didi, for which ₹676.85 crore has been allocated, which empowers rural women with cutting-edge agricultural technology and opens new avenues for employment and entrepreneurship.

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur particularly highlighted the historic announcement of Self-Help Entrepreneurs (SHE) Marts, a transformative policy initiative to empower millions of women SHG members as independent entrepreneurs.

On women's housing and dignity, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur informed that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban and Urban 2.0) has received a substantial allocation of ₹21,625.05 crore under women-centric components, ensuring secure home ownership, asset creation, and financial inclusion for women from economically weaker sections. Complementing this, ₹52,575.01 crore has been allocated to PMAY-Gramin, which empowers women as primary or co-owners, strengthening the social security and household decision-making power of rural women.

The budget also reinforces the government's commitment to women's safety and security

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur informed that ₹1,014.05 crore has been allocated for schemes dedicated to women's safety, including Safe City projects and a strengthened policing structure, ensuring safe public spaces and improved response to crimes against women. In the area of ​​women and child development, the government welcomed the allocation of ₹3,200 crore for Mission Shakti, a flagship program for the safety and empowerment of women, including security, skill development, legal aid, and institutional support systems. ₹36 crore for the National Commission for Women will strengthen grievance redressal and policy advocacy for women's rights.

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said, "Girls' hostels will be established in every district and higher education institutions, especially in STEM subjects, along with continued investments in holistic education and related programs that directly benefit female students. These measures aim to improve retention, reduce dropouts, and increase female participation in higher and technical education."

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur further stated that the government is not only promoting enterprise creation but also strengthening the market ecosystem and institutional support, including the She-MARTS retail network, enterprise financing initiatives, robust SHG livelihood systems, security programs, home ownership, and education support, all of which benefit women.