Bhopal : Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the income of every woman belonging to self-help group should increase by Rs. 10,000 per month. You move ahead with hard work and authenticity, the government is with you at every step. The state government has set a target of providing Rs. 2550 crore bank loan this year to strengthen women self-help groups. The responsibility of running ration (PDS) shops will also now be given to self-help groups.
Along with this, a reward of Rs one crore will be given to the cluster level federation for best performance in increasing the income level of self-help groups. Aajeevika Mart will be set up at Bhopal Haat in Bhopal for the sale of the products of the groups. Linkage with online commerce portal will also be done to increase business. A special project will be made for the trade of singhada and fish for the women’s group. Ayushman cards will be provided to all eligible members of the groups. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan was addressing the orientation and interaction programme of state level women self-help groups today.
Exhibition on role of Self Help Groups
The programme organized at the Chief Minister’s residence started with kanya pujan and Madhya Pradesh Anthem. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan visited the exhibition focused on the role of self-help groups in fighting the worst pandemic of the century, Corona Virus. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan also visited an exhibition focused on the role of SHGs in building a Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Mahendra Singh Sisodia, Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development Shri Ramkhelawan Patel, public representatives and departmental officers were present in the programme.
State government will give Rs 1050 crore assistance
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that an assistance of Rs.1050 crore would be given by the state government to self-help groups for various activities. Self-help groups will have to pay only 4 percent interest on bank loans. The remaining interest will be paid by the state government.
Social, educational, economic and political empowerment of women must
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan greeted all members of Women Self-Help Group who came to his residence. He said that it is necessary to treat women with respect and equality. As the Chief Minister, I am working with the spirit on how to make progress, welfare and empowerment of women easily. Social, educational, economic and political empowerment of women is necessary. For this, 50 percent seats have been reserved for women in the elections to all the urban bodies and panchayats in the state. Women are making achievements in all directions, either in the field of education or in the field of sports. Their self-confidence and social consciousness has increased. The capacity to fight against injustice has also increased. The attitude of the family and society towards women has also changed.
Multigrain Atta, Mustard, Groundnut Oil, Ginger-Garlic Paste, Besan, Dalia launched
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Livelihood Mission is a panacea for the economic empowerment of poor and lower middle class women of the state. There can be no bigger brand than Livelihood Mission, it is a guarantee of purity. Its products should be branded on the basis of ‘100 per cent purity’. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan has branded Kachchi Ghani mustard oil, groundnut oil, ginger-garlic paste, gram flour, porridge and multigrain flour on Aajeevika Mart portal. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan inspired the general public to use these products. He said that the activities of self-help groups will help in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh.
Caution from middlemen must
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan advised the members of self-help groups to beware of middlemen and not to fall prey to greed. Shri Chouhan said that the more independent, transparent and empowered the process of decision making and buying and selling by women, the stronger the self-help groups will be. The training, support and guidance provided by the mission has helped to eradicate poverty of lakhs of families. By joining the groups, the women have opened their accounts in bank. Now they need not keep their savings in any box. The 13 sutras taught in groups have given women new dimensions of progress.
37 Aajeevika Marts have been opened in the state
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the state government is making all possible efforts to encourage the activities of Self-Help Groups. More than 6 thousand government buildings have been allotted in different districts to conduct meetings and activities. Office buildings and 132 livelihood outlets have been allotted to over 4000 gram sangathans and 416 cluster level organisations, have been allotted. 37 Aajeevika Rural Marts have been opened in the state to sell the products made by women properly and respectfully in the market. The groups showed their potential during the time of Covid pandemic by providing masks, sanitizers, PPE kits and handwash.
Story of Meera’s struggle is both moving and inspiring
Members of self-help groups interacted with Chief Minister Shri Chouhan. The women members of the group shared their experiences in the programme. Mrs. Meera Yadav, the Udyam Sakhi of Bamura village from Sohagpur development block, who came from Shahdol, shared her experiences. After having established herself in the toughest of circumstances, Meera is now helping women to set up small enterprises. Her own monthly income is about Rs 35 thousand. In his address, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the story of Meera’s struggle is both moving and inspiring.
Made Badi a means of increasing income
Smt. Kamli Bai Patelia of Kariyadeh village of Karahal block of Sheopur told how she earned an additional income by intercropping with orchards i.e. badi. Due to her efforts, 200 farmers have planted fences in the area in three years. Kamli Devi is also making women aware of their rights in the form of a Samta Sakhi. In this sequence, Smt. Pama Bai Raj Singh of Kansul village, Pansemal block, Barwani, told how she made her family self-dependent by connecting other members of the group with livelihood activities.
Goat is an ATM for her
Smt. Asha Singh of Lulka village in Obaidullaganj block of Raisen has become a source of inspiration for people by adopting organic farming herself in the form of krishi sakhi. He encouraged about 350 families to adopt organic farming by training them in low cost organic farming techniques. Smt. Asha Singh has also adopted goat rearing as a source of income. She says that goat is very useful in times of crisis, it is like an ATM. In any emergency situation, immediate money can be arranged by selling goat. Goat rearing has helped a lot in getting out of the difficult situation. Smt. Asha Singh also recited a song written on Livelihood Mission.
Clothes made in Betul are going to Amravati and Morshi
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan spoke virtually to Smt. Rupali Thakre of Betul. Smt Thakre is engaged in making garments and petticoats. She informed that the material made by her group is in demand in Amravati and Morshi in Maharashtra apart from Betul. Orders are received on the portal. The portal has helped in increasing business activities. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan also spoke to Shri Vinay Bhavsar, a buyer who is taking goods in bulk from Smt. Thakre. Shri Bhavsar told that we have an established shop. Due to the good quality of the clothes provided by the self-help groups and the affordable prices, there is good demand for the clothes made by them in the market.
Global marketing will be done with ‘Saathi Bazar’
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, Shri Mahendra Singh Sisodia said that Chief Minister Shri Chouhan’s dream of empowering self-help groups socially and financially has been there since the very beginning. He is the Vikas Purush of the state. Due to his efforts, 3 lakh 33 thousand self-help groups have been formed in the state with whom over 37 lakh families are connected. Minister Shri Sisodia informed that the concept of ‘Saathi Bazar’ is being implemented in the state. Under this, talks are going on with big companies for retail marketing of the products of self-help groups. The products made by the group from ‘Saathi Bazaar’ will be marketed all over the world. Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development, Shri Ramkhelawan Patel proposed the vote of thanks.
