The Delhi Government has introduced an option for collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore for women self-help groups (SHGs) and startups.
Interestingly, the government has also decided to act as the guarantor for these loans, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
According to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi Government is working on a large scale to make women in the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and economically empowered.
She announced that the Delhi Government will regularly provide suitable platforms for indigenous products in malls and large shopping complexes so that local products can access a wider market.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the two-day ‘Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026’ on Saturday evening, she said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently presented before the country the vision of ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, and ‘One District, One Product’.
Carrying forward the same vision, the mela is a strong effort to promote indigenous products prepared by women and connect them with larger markets, Gupta added.
She said that women across 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 nation’s economy.
The Chief Minister 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. She added that the only requirement is better branding and marketing of these products.
Gupta further said that there is a need to provide national and international recognition to household and handmade products prepared by women. She appealed to people to use more local and indigenous products instead of foreign goods.
On the occasion, Member of Parliament Yogendra Chandolia, MLA Kulwant Rana, North-West District DM Soumya Saurabh, senior district administration officials, representatives of various banking institutions, and a large number of women associated with self-help groups were present.
The mela was organised by the North-West District Administration.
Gupta said that the government wants every woman in the capital to join self-help groups, prepare their own products, and take them to the market.
Various banks also participated in the event to strengthen banking and financial access for self-help groups.
Around 24 self-help groups participated in the initiative and exhibited products such as handicrafts, crochet work, khadi, household products, food items, and other handmade goods.