Andhra Pradesh launches ‘Digi-Lakshmi’ scheme to empower urban poor women-OxBig News Network

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched the ‘Digi-Lakshmi’ scheme to digitally empower urban poor women by establishing 9,034 Common Service Centres (CSCs) across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the State.

The G.O. MS. No. 117 in this regard was issued by S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) on Monday (June 30, 2025).

These Common Service Centres will be managed by eligible Self-Help Group (SHG) women and are part of the government’s ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ (OF-OE) vision aimed at transitioning SHGs into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Each centre, designed as a standardised ‘ATOM Kiosk’, will offer around 250 public services. The scheme mandates that Digi-Lakshmi operators be SHG members with at least three years of active involvement, aged between 21 and 40 years, married, settled in their operational areas, and hold a graduate degree with technical aptitude.

The G.O. authorised the Mission Director of MEPMA to execute the programme. The MEPMA will facilitate training and financial support, enabling women to secure loans of ₹2 to ₹2.5 lakh to establish their centres.