Punjab to Provide Interest-Free Dairy Loans to 7,000 Women, Says Minister Sond
March 11, 2026
ETT News / Ludhiana
Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Wednesday felicitated 100 women entrepreneurs from Ludhiana district during a district-level function organised under the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission as part of the initiative “Apna Karobar, Apni Pehchan”, dedicated to International Women’s Day.
The event was organised by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, Punjab, where women entrepreneurs were honoured for their achievements in various sectors including Farm to Kitchen, Service to Self-Reliance, Digital Didis, Green Livelihoods, Job Creators, Health and Wellness, Education and Training, Social Impact Champions, and 30 Under 30. The selected entrepreneurs received certificates and mementos for their contributions.
Addressing the gathering, Sond said the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is creating opportunities for women to become financially independent according to their skills through the Apna Karobar, Apni Pehchan programme. He said the government has selected 100 women entrepreneurs from each of the 117 Assembly constituencies in Punjab, adding that around 2,300 women out of a total of 11,700 selected entrepreneurs are being honoured at district-level events.
He further announced that 100 women entrepreneurs from 23 districts will be honoured at a state-level function on March 18 by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Each selected entrepreneur will receive ₹25,000 in cash along with a certificate and a memento, he added.
Highlighting another initiative, Sond said the state government will provide interest-free loans to 7,000 women to start dairy businesses by purchasing cows or buffaloes, which will not only strengthen women’s livelihoods but also help address the shortage of milk in both villages and cities.
The minister also said the government is providing ₹30,000 as a revolving fund to each Self-Help Group (SHG) and claimed that the highest number of SHG registrations has taken place during the current government, reflecting increasing participation of women in entrepreneurship.
He added that women entrepreneurs are also getting opportunities to showcase and sell their products through SARAS Melas and Sakhi Shakti Melas organised across 23 districts, where stalls are provided free of cost.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Dr Narinder Singh Dhaliwal, District Development and Panchayat Officer Dilawar Kaur, Ramanjit Kaur, other district officials and a large number of women entrepreneurs were present on the occasion.
Tarunpreet Singh Sond Punjab Women Entrepreneurs Khanna Ludhiana News Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission Apna Karobar Apni Pehchan Initiative
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