Agartala, Sept 18: Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) has received appreciation from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for supporting a woman entrepreneur from South Tripura through the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY).

Sitharaman highlighted the entrepreneurial journey of Bulti Debnath Datta of Maheshpur in Belonia during a national-level interaction with beneficiaries of the MUDRA scheme. Bulti has expanded her cement and rod-based construction-material manufacturing business with successive financial assistance from TGB.

According to Bulti, she and her husband started the manufacturing unit in 2017. She initially obtained a loan of ₹3 lakh from TGB in 2019. After repaying the loan, she availed another ₹3 lakh in 2023. With the business expanding, she subsequently secured a ₹7 lakh MUDRA loan in 2024.

The additional financial support helped her increase production and provide regular employment to five workers. She also purchased a vehicle to facilitate delivery of products such as RCC pillars, filters and ventilators to various locations.

Bulti said her products are now supplied to projects across 10 to 12 panchayats under Rishyamukh block, including works linked to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Her entrepreneurial journey has continued despite personal challenges. She is currently managing the enterprise as a single mother while also supporting her two daughters and in-laws.

During the interaction, Sitharaman pointed to Bulti’s experience as an example of how MUDRA credit can support enterprises beyond conventional business activities. She specifically appreciated TGB for extending financial assistance that enabled a woman entrepreneur to establish and expand a construction-material manufacturing venture.

Referring to TGB, the Finance Minister said regional rural banks were supporting entrepreneurs at the grassroots level in innovative ways. She noted Bulti’s progression from availing an initial loan to expanding production, purchasing a vehicle and undertaking product deliveries herself.

The interaction also underscored the role of regional rural banks in using institutional credit to encourage entrepreneurship, generate employment and strengthen livelihood opportunities in rural areas.