What was announced
The ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ programme was officially launched on May 17, 2025, in Guwahati. Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the initiative alongside Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. The programme was introduced as a women mason initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). During the launch event, safety kits were distributed to five women who are among the first trainees in the programme, symbolising the formal commencement of their skill development journey. State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and Panchayat & Rural Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass were also present on the occasion. IAS officer Keerthi Jalli, Commissioner of Panchayat and Rural Development, Assam, is credited with conceiving and driving this initiative.Why it matters
The ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ programme holds substantial significance for Assam’s rural economy and women’s empowerment. It seeks to bridge the existing gender divide in the construction industry, where women have historically been relegated to unskilled labour, often earning significantly less than their male counterparts. After certification, women participating in the programme can potentially double or even triple their incomes, according to reports. The timing of the programme is particularly crucial as the Centre simultaneously sanctioned an additional 3.76 lakh houses for Assam under the PMAY-G scheme. This massive influx of housing projects creates a substantial and sustained demand for skilled construction workers, a demand the ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ programme aims to meet by creating a pool of certified women masons. Beyond economic gains, the initiative is expected to have a transformative social impact. By empowering women to take on skilled roles in construction, it directly challenges traditional perceptions of gender roles in rural societies. When women build houses, supervise construction quality, and earn skilled-worker wages, it redefines their status within families and communities, inspiring young girls to envision new possibilities for themselves. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated that the initiative, along with empowering women, will help them become self-reliant.Background
The launch of the ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ programme aligns with broader efforts by both the central and state governments to promote women’s empowerment and skill development. In India, women’s participation in the construction sector remains low, with women representing only about 11.2 per cent of the construction workforce in 2024, accounting for approximately seven million out of 57 million workers in the sector. Furthermore, informal women workers in construction often earn 30 to 40 per cent less than their male counterparts. The construction industry in India, contributing around nine per cent to the nation’s GDP, has seen limited female representation in skilled and managerial roles. Studies indicate that India’s GDP could see a substantial increase of up to 27 per cent if female workforce participation matched that of men. Assam’s rural economy also faces unique challenges, including labour shortages due to male migration to other states in search of employment. This trend often places a greater burden on women who remain in rural areas, managing households and increasingly taking on responsibilities in agriculture and other sectors. Initiatives like ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ are crucial in addressing these gaps by providing women with the skills to fill labour demands and contribute significantly to the local economy. The Assam government has been actively pursuing various women-centric schemes, including the ‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan’ (MMUA), launched in April 2025, which aims to create 30 lakh women entrepreneurs, and the ‘Orunodoi Scheme’, providing monthly financial assistance to 37.2 lakh women. The ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ programme builds on this foundation, integrating skill development with existing housing schemes to ensure sustainable livelihoods. The name ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ itself carries a powerful message. “Lakhimi,” the Assamese form of Goddess Lakshmi, symbolises prosperity and abundance, while “Mistri” refers to a skilled craftsperson or mason. Together, the name conveys the vision of a woman who is both skilled and economically empowered, consciously redefining the image of a mason in rural society.Key details
The ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ programme is structured as a comprehensive 53-day training course, designed to align with national skill standards. The training curriculum emphasises practical field exposure, with instruction primarily conducted on active PMAY-G construction sites, rather than solely in classrooms. This approach ensures that learning is practical, hands-on, and directly applicable to employment opportunities. Participants in the programme receive a daily stipend to support them during the training period. Upon successful completion of the course, trainees are awarded certification under nationally recognised frameworks. Additionally, they are provided with professional toolkits to facilitate their entry into the construction workforce. The programme also offers opportunities for further upskilling in allied trades such as tiling and electrical work, enhancing their earning potential and career progression.Reactions
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at the launch event, highlighted the government’s commitment to ending poverty in Assam.He further added that the ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ scheme is a strong step towards making rural women self-reliant by training them as masons under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed gratitude to the Union Government for its support and reiterated the state’s commitment to empowering women and rural communities. He acknowledged the historic nature of the day, with 55,000 families receiving their new homes and the simultaneous launch of the ‘Lakhimi Mistri’ scheme.“We will not leave any stone unturned in the development of Assam… Through self-help groups, PM Vishwakarma Yojna, Mudra Schemes, and various other schemes, we will try to end poverty in Assam,” Chouhan said.
“Under this scheme, the government will impart training on masonry, carpentry, electrician etc., to rural women. After acquiring such skills, women can earn an extra buck and help develop the rural economy,” Chief Minister Sarma said.