LIC’s Bima Sakhi Yojana: Empowering Women

1. On December 9, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana, a new initiative by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), aimed at empowering women and promoting financial inclusion across India.
2. The scheme was launched in Panipat, Haryana, in line with the government’s commitment to women empowerment.
3. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Main Campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University in Karnal, Haryana.

Key Highlights:

1. Bima Sakhi Yojana:
    

   1. Objective: The scheme aims to create employment opportunities for women in rural and semi-urban areas by training them to become insurance agents (Bima Sakhis).
   2. This will help enhance financial literacy, provide insurance awareness, and contribute to economic independence.
   3. Eligibility: Women aged 18-70 years, who are Class X pass, can apply for the scheme.
   4. Training & Support: The women will undergo specialized training with a stipend for the first 3 years.
   5. After completing the training, they will serve as LIC agents, helping people access life insurance products.
   6. Career Growth: After gaining experience, successful Bima Sakhis will have the opportunity to advance to roles like Development Officer in LIC.

2. Empowerment through Employment:
    

   1. The Prime Minister emphasized that women empowerment is crucial for achieving the goal of a Developed India by 2047.
   2. The Bima Sakhi Yojana will provide direct income to women, with an estimated ₹1.75 lakh annually for each Bima Sakhi.
   3. This will support their families and contribute to poverty alleviation.
   4. The program is aligned with the broader vision of ‘Insurance for All’, ensuring that every Indian citizen is covered under social security programs like life insurance, which are essential for financial stability.
       
3. Women’s Contribution in Various Sectors:
    
   1. The Prime Minister also praised women for their increasing participation in various sectors, from army and aviation to corporate leadership.
   2. He highlighted that women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have contributed significantly to rural empowerment, with over 10 crore women in India associated with SHGs.
   3. These women are not only improving their income but also fostering social harmony and economic development in rural areas.

4. Government’s Efforts for Women’s Welfare:

   1. PM Modi highlighted various government initiatives such as:
      1. Jan Dhan Yojana, which opened 30 crore women’s bank accounts.
      2. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, which have insured over 20 crore people.
      3. Maternity Leave: Extended maternity leave to 26 weeks for women employees.
      4. Lakhpati Didi Campaign: Over 1.15 crore women are now earning over ₹1 lakh annually.

5. Importance of Rural Women:
    

   1. The Prime Minister stressed that women in rural areas are at the heart of India’s economic transformation.
   2. They are becoming Bank Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis (agriculture agents), Pashu Sakhis (animal husbandry agents), and Drone Didis (drone operators for farming), empowering both themselves and their communities.
   3. More than 70,000 Krishi Sakhis have already been certified, and 1.25 lakh Pashu Sakhis are contributing to awareness and growth in animal husbandry.

6. Support for Farmers:
    

   1. In addition to empowering women, PM Modi highlighted the farmer welfare initiatives in Haryana, including the ₹1.25 lakh crore MSP payments and assistance to drought-affected farmers.
   2. He also spoke about the Maharana Pratap Horticultural University in Karnal, which will provide advanced training in horticulture and crop diversification, further boosting Haryana’s leadership in the Green Revolution.

Significance of the Scheme:

1. Women Empowerment: The Bima Sakhi Yojana is a direct step towards reducing gender inequality by providing women with an opportunity to earn independently.
2. It supports the vision of empowering women, especially in rural India.
3. Financial Inclusion: By training women to become LIC agents, the scheme will help bridge the financial literacy gap and promote the importance of insurance in ensuring social security.
4. Socio-Economic Transformation: The scheme integrates financial empowerment with social security, thereby addressing the dual issues of poverty and lack of insurance coverage in rural India.

Conclusion:

The Bima Sakhi Yojana represents a major step in India’s journey towards women’s empowerment and financial inclusion. It highlights the government's focus on providing employment opportunities, financial literacy, and social security to women, especially in rural areas. By training women to become insurance agents, this initiative not only empowers them economically but also contributes to the nation’s social and economic development, aligning with the broader vision of a developed India by 2047.