Ranchi, September 1, 2026: Jharkhand is looking to move its women’s self-help groups (SHGs) beyond livelihood support and develop them into sustainable business enterprises, Rural Development, Rural Works and Panchayati Raj Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said during a review of the state’s livelihood initiatives.
The minister also called for strengthening ‘Palash’ as a trusted Jharkhand brand so that products made by women’s groups can reach wider markets.
She made the remarks during a review meeting of the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) and Palash at Project Building in Ranchi on Monday.
Focus shifts from production to the market
The meeting examined ways to improve the entire value chain for products made by women’s SHGs, including product quality, packaging, branding, marketing and market access.
Pandey Singh directed officials to prepare a concrete strategy for connecting SHG products with larger markets.
She said rural women in Jharkhand already possess the skills and capacity to produce quality goods, but their products need stronger recognition and better access to markets.
According to the minister, developing Palash as a common and credible brand could give SHGs operating across different parts of the state a stronger identity and help their products move beyond local markets.
Government aims to strengthen women-led businesses
The minister said the broader objective is to make rural women economically self-reliant.
Rather than limiting SHGs to production activities, the government wants to provide them with opportunities across the chain—from production and product development to marketing and sales—so they can develop as stronger entrepreneurs.
The emphasis on Palash is therefore aimed at creating a common market identity for products made by women’s groups while improving their commercial reach.
JSLPS officials attend review meeting
Rural Development Department Secretary Manoj Kumar, JSLPS Chief Executive Officer Ananya Mittal, senior JSLPS officials and other concerned officers attended the meeting.
The review comes as the state government seeks to strengthen the commercial side of women-led enterprises and expand market opportunities for products produced through its self-help group network.
