GUWAHATI: Cachar district administration has effectively executed the task of women empowerment in remote areas of the district. During her visit to minority dominated Tukergram Revenue Village (Puran Basti) bordering Bangladesh under Harinagar GP of Katigorah Development Block for Covid testing and vaccination on 11 June, 2021, deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli noticed that the women of the area aspired to do developmental work but were not organised to that extent. She then asked them to form a Self-Help Group (SHG) consisting of marginalised women in that area, so that they too can be bought under the fold of ASRLM and supported through various Government schemes like Kanaklata Sabalikaran Scheme, etc.
As a consequence, one SHG in that area, namely, Pally Unnayan SHG was formed for the first time in Tukergram under Katigorah since independence on Thursday.
Upon seeing the participatory activities of the SHG, other women in that area were also inspired. They also came forward to set up SHGs so that they may get various government grants from time to time. They were impressed upon the fact that the concept of necessary credit linkage support will ultimately help them to enhance their livelihood activities in that area. This in turn became a major device to uplift their socio-economic status.
The DC expressed her happiness at mobilising these women to plan on financial inclusion schemes. “I am optimistic that skilling and handholding under ASRLM would enable them access to an income generating platform through activities like goat rearing, milk farming etc. Most importantly they are now in a position to plan for their families’ finances which also paves way for women empowerment.”
Antara Paul BDO Katigorah, Block Coordinator , Bikash Choudhury, outgoing BPM, Hanif Ahmed and Jeevika Sakhi, Monita Das Purkayastha of BMMU, Katigorah worked hard to provide impetus to the womenfolk to organise themselves into a successful SHG. It was not easy to convince these women of the idea of initial saving pool through contribution of Rs 25/- upfront. 12 women SHGs have come together to form Pally Unnayan SHG.
