Imphal | The Manipur Cabinet has approved a new women’s empowerment scheme under which around 3.5 lakh women belonging to recognised self-help groups (SHGs) will receive financial assistance. The Women Empowerment (WE)-Manipur scheme will provide each eligible woman with a Rs 10,000 grant in the first year, followed by interest-free loans in the second and third years.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Babupara on August 28. The scheme is aimed at strengthening the financial capacity of women associated with recognised SHGs across the state. The government plans to use the SHG network as a platform to expand access to financial assistance and support women-led livelihood activities.

Under the scheme, the first-year assistance will be provided as a direct grant. In the subsequent two years, beneficiaries will be eligible for interest-free loans, enabling them to access additional financial support without an interest burden.

The government has not yet disclosed the total financial allocation for the scheme or the timeline for disbursal of the first-year grant.

Officials are expected to issue detailed guidelines and notifications separately, outlining the eligibility criteria, application process, disbursement mechanism and other implementation-related provisions.

The Cabinet’s decision comes as Manipur continues to focus on livelihood support and economic empowerment initiatives, with self-help groups playing an increasingly important role in extending financial and livelihood opportunities to women at the grassroots level.