UP numero uno in BC Sakhi scheme

Lucknow: With the continuous efforts of the Yogi govt, Uttar Pradesh has ranked first in the country in the BC Sakhi Scheme, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan."The scheme, a rural banking and women empowerment initiative that helps take financial services to villages while creating income opportunities for women linked to self-help groups (SHGs), is being implemented in the state through the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Gramin Ajivika Mission," said a govt official. Adding that around 40,000 women associated with SHGs are currently working as BC Sakhis across villages in the state, the official said: "These sakhis provide basic banking services to rural residents and, in the process, are also becoming financially independent. The average monthly earnings of BC Sakhis range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000, while some are earning commissions of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 a month." Aimed at strengthening financial inclusion in rural areas, the scheme provides training to selected women who later offer services such as cash withdrawal, deposits, Aadhaar-enabled payments and other banking facilities through micro-ATMs and digital devices, allowing villagers to access banking services closer to home. Officials said the scheme has significantly expanded the reach of banking services in rural areas and encouraged more women to join the programme. The initiative is also being seen as a means to strengthen household incomes and improve women's participation in the local economy. Joint mission director Janmejay Shukla said women in districts such as Lucknow, Prayagraj and Sultanpur were emerging as examples of economic self-reliance under the scheme. After training, they are deployed in villages where they help residents carry out banking transactions without having to travel long distances, he said. Among those cited by officials is Anita Pal from Lucknow, who is working as a BC Sakhi under the mission. Apart from a fixed monthly income, she earns up to Rs 50,000 in commission every month, officials said. Priyanka Maurya from Sultanpur has also been highlighted as a successful participant in the scheme. Officials said she is managing her family responsibilities while earning around Rs 50,000 a month in commission in addition to her regular income. Following the programme's performance, more banks have joined efforts to expand it in the state, they said.