From ‘Lakhpati Didi’ to ‘SHE-preneur’: How SHE Mart & Ezeepay Together Are Powering Women-Led Rural Businesses
The Union Budget 2026 has introduced a powerful and transformative initiative for women entrepreneurs in rural India — Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Mart. Announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, SHE Mart is not just another government scheme, but a visionary step toward building a sustainable, women-led rural economy.
What is SHE Mart?
SHE Mart is a new type of community-owned retail shop, run and managed by women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These are small but impactful local stores where women can sell their own products such as:
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Homemade snacks and food items
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Handicrafts and traditional goods
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Farm produce and organic items
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Rural handmade products
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Local beauty and wellness products
Unlike traditional markets, SHE Mart focuses on collective ownership, collaboration, and business growth, helping women move from small income activities to becoming confident business owners.
A Step Ahead from Lakhpati Didi Scheme
SHE Mart builds on the success of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme, which aims to help women earn ₹1 lakh per year. With SHE Mart, the government is taking this mission further by giving women a structured business platform, better market access, and financial support to scale their income.
Through easy financing, innovative loan methods, and village-level collaboration, SHE Mart ensures that women are not just earning — they are leading enterprises.
How SHE Mart Empowers Rural Women
- Creates regular income opportunities
- Strengthens women-made brand identity
- Expands customer reach beyond villages
- Encourages teamwork among women entrepreneurs
- Promotes financial independence and leadership
How Ezeepay Complements SHE Mart – A Perfect Digital Partnership
While SHE Mart empowers women with physical retail spaces, Ezeepay empowers them with digital and financial opportunities.
Ezeepay gives shopkeepers — especially women retailers — a chance to earn extra income by offering banking and digital services alongside their traditional business.
With Ezeepay, a female retailer running a SHE Mart shop can also provide:
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Money Transfer
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Aadhaar Banking (AEPS)
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Mobile Recharge
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Bill Payments
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Travel Ticket Booking
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Digital Payment Services
This means women are not just sellers — they become financial service providers for their community.
Why This Matters?
After the SHE Mart announcement, more women retailers joining Ezeepay means:
- Higher income for women entrepreneurs
- More digital banking access in rural areas
- Financial inclusion at the grassroots level
- Stronger local businesses
- Women becoming digital leaders in their villages
With SHE Mart + Ezeepay, rural women are no longer just beneficiaries — they are business leaders, digital enablers, and community change-makers.
Conclusion: A New Era of Women-Led Rural Economy
The launch of SHE Mart in Union Budget 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter in rural entrepreneurship. When combined with Ezeepay’s digital financial ecosystem, it creates a powerful model where women not only sell products but also drive financial inclusion and digital growth in their villages.
SHE Mart builds their business. Ezeepay builds their future.
Together, they are shaping a stronger, smarter, and self-reliant rural India.
