Punjab targets 1.5 lakh women entrepreneurs via AI-led initiative

Spread the news

PEHEL links self-help group credit with digital training, business mentoring under five-year entrepreneurship plan

Chandigarh: Punjab has launched an initiative to help women from self-help groups (SHGs) establish businesses with the support of artificial intelligence (AI), structured business planning and continued mentoring, setting a target of creating more than 1.5 lakh women entrepreneurs over five years.

Called PEHEL, the programme is led by the Punjab Development Commission (PDC) and implemented through the Department of Rural Development. In partnership with Leap 300, it adds a 300-day entrepreneurship support programme to the state’s existing SHG credit system.

The initiative helps women identify suitable business opportunities and prepare before funds arrive, followed by support during the launch and growth stages. Its interventions include Sakhi-led assistance, digital learning and an AI-powered tool, Vyapar Mitra.

In Munsiwala village of Sangrur district, Manjeet Kaur’s family has diversified its income through two small businesses. Previously dependent on her husband’s factory salary of Rs 12,000–13,000 a month, the family now runs a kulcha cart and a beauty parlour. Her husband earns Rs 400–500 a day from the cart, while Manjeet earns Rs 300–400 daily from the parlour.

“PEHEL was created to help women translate access to credit into economic opportunity. The results show what becomes possible when finance is combined with the right business choice, structured support and technology,” said Seema Bansal, Vice-Chairperson of the Punjab Development Commission.

Vinod Raghuwanshi, Co-Founder of Leap 300, said access to credit needed to be accompanied by guidance on selecting a business and support as it developed.

The programme aims to help women move beyond borrowing towards establishing and running enterprises, using technology and local support networks to strengthen their business planning and operations.