Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Saturday inaugurated the Subhadra Shakti Mela here to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among women. The nine-day event will witness the participation of members of 700 self-help groups (SHGs), showcasing over 200 products prepared by women at 300 stalls.
The products include millet, organic food, spice products, terracotta and bamboo crafts. “This is not an ordinary fair. It is a success story of mothers, sisters and daughters of Odisha. It is a demonstration of their talent, skill and effort. For our government, women empowerment is not just a slogan, it is a movement,” the CM said.
He said efforts are on so that every woman, whether at the individual level or at the group level, can become a skilled entrepreneur and achieve financial independence. The state government is making efforts to create 25 lakh ‘Lakhpati didis’ in the next three years, the CM said.
“Our aim is that mothers of SHGs earn at least Rs1 lakh annually,” he said. Outlining various initiatives for SHGs, Majhi said that this year, the state government has doubled the amount of Revolving Fund given to about 5.8 lakh SHGs.
The subsidy has been increased from Rs15,000 to Rs30,000 and the Community Investment Fund provided to Gram Panchayat Level Federations (GPLFs) has been increased from Rs35 lakh to Rs60 lakh. This will strengthen these institutions financially and women will benefit more from it in the future, the CM said.
Majhi said arrangements have been made for interest waivers for SHGs in the state so that they get more help in earning a living and invest more capital to take their business forward. The state government has made arrangements for interest refunds on bank loans of up to Rs10 lakh to SHGs. He also announced that an interest refund of Rs300 crore will be made to more than 3 lakh SHGs in the financial year 2024-25.
Noting that Subhadra Yojana is the biggest scheme in the history of Odisha, Majhi said so far, more than 98 lakh women have received over Rs4,900 crore as assistance. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8, mothers will be given another Rs5,000 in the second instalment.
“Think about it, when one crore mothers take this money as capital and start a business, what impact will it have on the economy,” he said. The CM said that Subhadra Yojana is like the backbone of women’s empowerment.
“We will also start many more schemes for our mothers, sisters and daughters on the Subhadra platform. Many new steps will be taken like Kishori (adolescent) Subhadra, Subhadra Sanchay (saving), Subhadra Sakhi (friend), Subhadra Yatri, Subhadra Sangh or Club, Subhadra Call Centre, Subhadra Associates, Subhadra Pandit and Sujogya (able) Subhadra,” he said.
An allocation of Rs10,145 crore has been made under Subhadra Yojana in the coming financial year, Majhi said. Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Majhi visited several stalls and appreciated the products.
PNN