- By Deeksha Gour
- Sun, 01 Feb 2026 04:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Budget 2026: The Union government has announced plans to create a new retail platform for women self-help groups (SHGs) as part of Budget 2026. The initiative, called Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts, aims to give rural women a direct and organised way to sell their products and grow as business owners.
The move marks a shift in policy focus, from supporting women mainly through small loans to helping them run structured, income-generating enterprises. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her Budget speech on Sunday.
Moving Beyond Micro-Credit
Sitharaman said the government wants women to move from credit-linked livelihoods to owning enterprises. The new proposal builds on the existing Lakhpati Didi programme, which supports SHG members whose annual household income crosses Rs 1 lakh.
So far, the programme has focused on skill development, access to credit and local production. The SHE Mart model adds a permanent market layer to this framework, helping women sell goods beyond local or temporary markets.
According to government data, crores of women are already connected to SHG networks, with a national goal of creating 30 million Lakhpati Didis.
What Are SHE Marts?
SHE Marts are planned as community-owned retail outlets run by SHG collectives. These outlets will be set up at the cluster level, particularly in areas linked to agriculture and allied activities.
The Finance Minister said ownership and management of these outlets will remain with local women’s groups. The idea is to ensure that profits and decision-making stay within the community.
How SHE Marts Will Work
As per the Budget announcement, SHE Marts are expected to:
Offer permanent retail spaces for SHG-made products
Improve direct access to markets
Support sales of value-added and processed goods
Receive backing through new and improved financing tools
Detailed guidelines on operations and funding are yet to be released.
Impact on Credit and Household Finance
The government has also introduced a digital, end-to-end loan system for SHG women. This allows online loan applications with direct bank approvals.
When combined with SHE Marts, the system could help women manage working capital better and improve access to formal credit. At the household level, the model may lead to steadier income, lower dependence on informal loans, and better chances of asset creation through enterprise profits.