Goa’s ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’

On January 7, 2025, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant launched the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ under the state’s Swayampurna Goa 2.0 initiative. This program aims to empower women by providing them with training and opportunities to become Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agents, thereby promoting financial literacy and expanding life insurance coverage at the grassroots level.

Key Features of the Bima Sakhi Yojana

Eligibility Criteria: Women aged 18-70 years who have completed at least Class X are eligible to participate in the scheme.

Training and Stipend: Participants will undergo specialized training to become LIC agents. During this training period, they will receive a stipend of ₹7,000 per month in the first year, ₹6,000 in the second year, and ₹5,000 in the third year, totaling ₹2.16 lakh over three years.

Career Advancement: After completing the training, Bima Sakhis can work as LIC agents and may qualify for development officer roles within LIC, offering further career growth opportunities.

Government’s Commitment to Women’s Empowerment

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant emphasized that the Bima Sakhi Yojana is not only a step towards women’s empowerment but also a strategic move to enhance life insurance coverage among Goans. He stated that the government aims to make around 1,000 Bima Sakhis by the time of the Prime Minister’s next visit to Goa, underscoring the initiative’s significance.

Impact on Financial Inclusion

By integrating women into the insurance sector, the Bima Sakhi Yojana seeks to create mass awareness about the importance of life insurance, thereby contributing to the financial inclusion of women and the broader community.

Summary of the news