Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) mobilized around 63,808 women from rural poor families into 7,696 self-help groups (SHGs) during 2022-23 fiscal year and initiatives are being taken for augmenting the socio-economic livelihood of women, said Rural Development department special secretary Dr Sandeep R Rathore on Wednesday.
Speaking to media persons at Civil Secretariat here in Agartala city on Wednesday afternoon, Special Secretary Rathore said Women SHGS are federated into 236 Village Organizations (VOS) and 16 Cluster Level Federations (CLF) during 2022-23 FY which facilitate augmentation of livelihood and Promotion of more 36 CLFS are under process.
“During FY 2022-23 around 4214 SHGs have been provided Revolving Fund (RF) for Rs 4.59 crore and 2536 SHGs have been provide Community Investment Fund (CIF) for Rs 31.92 crore 59 VOs have been provided Vulnerable Reduction Fund (VRF) for Rs 80.10 lakh to address different emergency needs of women SHG members. To augment the livelihood activities of women SHG members, Rs 120.18 Cr bank loans have already been mobilized to women SHGS during 2022-23. This fund is utilized by women SHG members for livelihood, education of children etc.”, said the Special Secretary adding that the NPA rate on SHG bank loans is only around 2.1%.
“To support the farm-based livelihood activities, Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) are established and agricultural equipment have been provided to 38 VOS. 178 women Producer Groups (PGs) have already been promoted to provide a platform to marginal producers which will enable them to access collective inputs and market. For better marketing of SHG products, an e-commerce platform namely Vill-Mart has been developed. SHG products are also hosted in Amazon and Facebook for larger reach. Under One Station One product (OSOP) scheme one SHG Handicraft Stall has been inaugurated at Agartala Railway Station. To promote the SHG food service, TRLM has promoted ‘Sanjog Canteens’. 529 micro enterprises involved with food processing activities are being supported through seed capital assistance under the PM-FME scheme” Rathore told reporters.
He also said that 489 vacant contractual positions are already filled up under TRLM during 2022-23 FY and 3 SHG units have started the production of biodegradable plate making units to counter the demand of alternative bags after the Single Use Plastic (SUP) ban.
