Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, declared the historic launch of the Bima Sakhi Yojana as a powerful stride towards women’s empowerment and rural economic security under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As part of the Government of India’s mission to achieve ‘Insurance for All by 2047’, the Ministry of Rural Development has partnered with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to appoint trained Self-Help Group (SHG) members as ‘Bima Sakhis’ at the Gram Panchayat level. These women will serve as community-level insurance facilitators, expanding last-mile access to financial protection and acting as agents of social change.
The Minister stated that the scheme aligns closely with flagship missions like Jan Dhan Se Jan Suraksha, Digital India, and Lakhpati Didi, noting that by August 15, the number of Lakhpati Didis will reach 2 crore. The Bima Sakhi initiative not only promotes inclusive insurance but also enhances local employment and women’s participation in the workforce.
By enabling women to become financially independent and trusted community representatives, the scheme contributes directly to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and the broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Chouhan emphasized that Bima Sakhis are not merely insurance agents, but trailblazers of financial inclusion and village-level resilience, particularly in disaster-affected regions.
Calling it a “transformational movement,” the Minister urged all states and stakeholders to amplify the outreach of the initiative and ensure its implementation across every household.
