The approved initiatives under the scheme will provide sustainable business and livelihood support to 15,000 SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income of at least Rs 1,00,000 per annum
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a central scheme that entails providing drones to 15,000 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with an allocated budget of Rs 1,261 crore for the fiscal years 2024–25 and 2025–26.
Announcing the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur stated that the scheme's primary objective is to furnish drones to 15,000 selected women SHGs for the period spanning 2024–25 to 2025–26. These drones will be deployed to offer rental services to farmers for agricultural purposes.
The approved initiatives within the scheme are designed to deliver sustainable business and livelihood support to the 15,000 SHGs. It is anticipated that these groups will have the potential to generate additional income of at least Rs 1,00,000 per annum, as highlighted in an official release.
The genesis of this scheme can be traced back to Prime Minister Modi's announcement during his Independence Day speech on August 15, where he emphasised the empowerment of SHGs through drone technology. The overarching vision is to harness the capabilities of science and technology in rural development, thereby fostering economic growth and sustainability.