Union Minister Piyush Goyal Interacts with Innovators, Highlights Women-Led Development

New Delhi: On the eve of the 75th Republic Day, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal, engaged with innovators and entrepreneurs in New Delhi. Acknowledging the powerful display of ‘nari shakti’ (women power) at the Republic Day Parade, Shri Goyal emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion in the formal labor force for India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.

The minister expressed delight at more women joining the startup ecosystem, with 20 unicorns being led by women. He noted an increase in the number of women patent holders, highlighting that the Indian Patent Office granted a record 75,000 patents in the last 10 months, showcasing India’s innovation capabilities.

Discussing Ease of Doing Business, Shri Goyal stated that 40,000 compliances across the country have been eliminated or simplified to ease the burden on entrepreneurs. He emphasized efforts to reduce criminalization of business laws and highlighted the Jan Vishwas Bill, aimed at decriminalizing and rationalizing offenses to foster trust-based governance.

Praising the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Shri Goyal credited it with empowering entrepreneurs and propelling India to become the fifth-largest economy globally. He expressed confidence in the youth, particularly women, to contribute to making India corruption-free and envisioned India’s economy reaching thirty-five trillion dollars.

Shri Goyal introduced the ‘Lakhpati Didi Scheme’ and called upon startups and innovators to contribute to India’s innovation-led growth story. He urged them to be at the forefront of India’s growth as the country marches towards its 100th year of Independence and strives to become a developed nation by 2047.