17 May,2026 01:48 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta. (File pic)
Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Rekha Gupta on Sunday, May 17, announced that the state government will provide collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore to women's self-help groups and startups.
Rekha Gupta, while speaking at the opening ceremony of the two-day 'Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026', said that the Delhi government will act as the guarantor for these loans.
As per ANI, Rekha further announced that the administration will regularly provide suitable platforms for indigenous products in malls and large shopping complexes to ensure local goods get a wider market.
According to the Delhi government CMO, the Chief Minister said that PM Modi has consistently been presenting before the country the vision of 'Vocal for Local', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'One District, One Product'. This mela is a strong effort to promote indigenous products prepared by women and connect them with the market.
Along with the Delhi CM, Member of Parliament Yogendra Chandolia, MLA Kulwant Rana, and DM of North-West District Soumya Saurabh, senior officials of the district administration, representatives of various banking institutions and a large number of women associated with self-help groups were present at the event.
The Chief Minister said that women of the country, while staying at home, are not only increasing their family income through small-scale industries and handmade products but are also strengthening the country's economy.
As per ANI, Rekha Gupta also said that people often run after foreign brands, whereas handicrafts, khadi, household products and handmade items made in India are second to none in quality. The only requirement is better branding and marketing of these products.
She said that today India is rapidly moving towards self-reliance in every sector, including defence, space, agriculture and manufacturing, and Indian products are being exported across the world. In such a situation, there is also a need to provide national and international recognition to household and handmade products being prepared by women. The Chief Minister appealed to people to use more local and indigenous products instead of foreign goods.
The Chief Minister said that the Delhi government wants every woman in the capital to join self-help groups, prepare her own products and take them to the market. She said that the government is also making efforts to provide easy loans to women through banks. Various banks were also included in this mela so that the banking and financial access of self-help groups could be strengthened.
(With inputs from ANI)
