Key Highlights
- Launch of the Digi‑Lakshmi scheme on 30 June 2025 targets urban poor women as digital entrepreneurs.
- Installation of 9,034 Common Service Centres (CSCs) across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
- Women from Self‑Help Groups run ATOM kiosks offering approximately 250 public services, from bill clearing to certificates.
- Eligibility: 21‑40 years, married, resident, 3‑year SHG member, graduate, basic tech skills.
- Training, mentorship and a micro‑loan of ₹2‑2.5 lakh are provided by MEPMA.
Detailed Insights
The government’s initiative is embedded within the larger "One Family, One Entrepreneur" (OF‑OE) mission, aiming to catalyse inclusive growth by transforming the lives of street‑economy women into formal digital service providers. By strategically deploying CSCs across every municipal jurisdiction, the scheme intends to bridge the accessibility gap for residents who lack internet infrastructure or basic digital know‑how.
Qualified participants will receive a comprehensive training programme spanning customer‑service, basic accounting, digital payment processing, and compliance with state‑issued licences. Upon completion, each woman will be accredited to operate an ATOM kiosk—a compact, solar‑powered, all‑in‑one unit capable of handling applications for pensions, birth‑certificates, tax returns, and utility bill settlement.
The financial aspect of the programme is anchored on a government‑backed micro‑loan ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh, repayable over 12–18 months. The loan is designed to cover land, electricity, rent and the procurement of hardware and software components. The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) will oversee the loan disbursement, training and ongoing support, ensuring that participating women remain financially viable.
Administrative oversight comes from the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department, headed by Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar. The scheme’s rollout is expected to create not only a service‑delivery ecosystem but also a network of digital job creators who are self‑employed women.
Key Concepts
- Common Service Centre (CSC): A government‑sponsored facility that aggregates digital services for the public.
- ATOM Kiosk: A solar‑powered, internet‑enabled appliance delivering digital transactions and service requests in urban settings.
- Self‑Help Group (SHG): Group of women who collaboratively produce or trade goods and use finance‑related activities.
- MEPMA (Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas): the agency responsible for policy implementation and management.
- Key eligibility criteria ensure the target group maintains high‑quality service provision.