AMARAVATI, APRIL 29: The Central Government has released ₹207.03 crore as the first instalment of its share under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for Andhra Pradesh, towards strengthening the livelihoods of women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operating under the DWACRA framework and implemented through the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP).

BJP State President PVN Madhav welcomed the development and conveyed his gratitude to the Central Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the timely release of funds.

Total outlay of ₹690 crore for 2026-27

According to Mr. Madhav, a total of ₹690 crore is expected to be made available to SHGs in the State under DAY-NRLM for the financial year 2026-27. The Centre's first instalment of ₹207.03 crore will be supplemented by the State Government's matching grant of 40 per cent, which is to be released shortly, he said.

The funds are intended to support rural women in improving their economic standing, expanding self-employment opportunities, and enabling their transition towards micro-entrepreneurship, Mr. Madhav stated.

Women's empowerment a priority, says Madhav

Emphasising the Centre's commitment to women's economic empowerment, Mr. Madhav said the Modi government had consistently accorded priority to programmes that strengthen grassroots-level women's collectives. "These funds will play a decisive role in consolidating the gains of the SHG movement in Andhra Pradesh and in building a more resilient rural economy," he said.

The DAY-NRLM, implemented through SERP in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the largest institutional platforms for rural women's livelihoods in the country, with DWACRA SHGs serving as its foundational unit at the village level.