Govt to revamp SHGs to ensure all eligible women are included: Parida | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: State govt will restructure the existing women self-help groups (SHGs) from Tuesday to ensure 100% inclusion of remaining eligible beneficiaries, furthering the state’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, deputy chief minister Pravati Parida said on Monday.
“There was no parity, and many families were not included in the SHGs. There were many SHGs without proper registration and they received crores of rupees in funds under the previous govt. The whole process will be more transparent, inclusive, and members from each family will get a chance to represent and participate in the economic growth of the state,” she said.
The second phase of the social inclusion campaign under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) will run from April 8 to 22. Implemented in Odisha since 2012-13, the DAY-NRLM programme is designed to alleviate rural poverty by promoting community-based institutions such as SHGs, cluster level forums (CLFs), and gram panchayat level federations (GPLFs). These platforms enable women and other marginalised groups to access credit, skill training, market linkages and livelihood support.
“Under the previous govt, many members from a particular political party were excluded. There was no audit of funds allocated to SHGs. Under the campaign, every remaining eligible rural woman will be brought into the SHG fold,” said Parida.
The first phase of the campaign, conducted from March 8 to 31 to coincide with International Women’s Day, saw 4,12,548 previously excluded eligible rural households being brought under the SHG network.
Particular attention was paid to vulnerable groups. A total of 108 SHGs were formed for persons with disabilities, comprising 1,667 members, while 393 groups were created for the elderly, benefiting 4,995 individuals aged 55 and above, official sources said.
Officials said the second phase would build on these achievements. “This campaign is not just about numbers — it’s about empowering women, especially those who have remained on the margins, and strengthening grassroots institutions to lead the path of inclusive rural development,” said an Odisha Livelihoods Mission official.
BJD’s Pramila Mallik criticised the state govt’s move and alleged it is aimed at using women as a vote bank. “People of Odisha have started realising how they are being used by the govt. There is no reason for restructuring the existing groups and bodies,” Mallik said.
“There was no parity, and many families were not included in the SHGs. There were many SHGs without proper registration and they received crores of rupees in funds under the previous govt. The whole process will be more transparent, inclusive, and members from each family will get a chance to represent and participate in the economic growth of the state,” she said.
The second phase of the social inclusion campaign under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) will run from April 8 to 22. Implemented in Odisha since 2012-13, the DAY-NRLM programme is designed to alleviate rural poverty by promoting community-based institutions such as SHGs, cluster level forums (CLFs), and gram panchayat level federations (GPLFs). These platforms enable women and other marginalised groups to access credit, skill training, market linkages and livelihood support.
“Under the previous govt, many members from a particular political party were excluded. There was no audit of funds allocated to SHGs. Under the campaign, every remaining eligible rural woman will be brought into the SHG fold,” said Parida.
The first phase of the campaign, conducted from March 8 to 31 to coincide with International Women’s Day, saw 4,12,548 previously excluded eligible rural households being brought under the SHG network.
Particular attention was paid to vulnerable groups. A total of 108 SHGs were formed for persons with disabilities, comprising 1,667 members, while 393 groups were created for the elderly, benefiting 4,995 individuals aged 55 and above, official sources said.
Officials said the second phase would build on these achievements. “This campaign is not just about numbers — it’s about empowering women, especially those who have remained on the margins, and strengthening grassroots institutions to lead the path of inclusive rural development,” said an Odisha Livelihoods Mission official.
BJD’s Pramila Mallik criticised the state govt’s move and alleged it is aimed at using women as a vote bank. “People of Odisha have started realising how they are being used by the govt. There is no reason for restructuring the existing groups and bodies,” Mallik said.
