Nirmala Sitharaman in Sohra: Lauds Meghalaya's Self-Help Groups model, grassroots growth
Nirmala Sitharaman
Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, accompanied by Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, drove through the stunning landscapes of Sohra (Cherrapunji) and interacted with local communities, farmers and SHG Members from Laitkynsew, Seij and Sohbar.
The visit highlighted the transformative impact of
Self-Help Groups
(SHGs) and Village Organizations (VOs) in fulfilment of Meghalaya's vision of becoming USD 30 Billion economy, by 2032.
In the remote village of Laitkynsew, Sohra, while addressing the gathering, Sitharaman commended the efforts of the Government of Meghalaya, in effectively implementing schemes of both the state and central governments, reaching every resident. 'If we believe in Sabka Vikas, government programmes and schemes will have to benefit all men and women, city or village, elder or young, rich or poor- everyone has to get one or the other benefit,' she emphasized.
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Sitharaman also lauded the efforts of SHGs in reducing the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and empowering other women. She emphasized the goal of making SHG members earn ?1 lakh annually, thereby becoming 'Lakhpati Didis'. She said that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has a goal of having at least 5 lakhpati didis from every village in India.
'We need every village to contribute to this ambition of the Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma,' she said, assuring continued cooperation between the central and state governments to achieve Meghalaya's vision.
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With significant support from the Government of India, Rs 500 crores have been made available to SHGs through the
Community Investment Fund
, while banks have added another Rs 400 crores through linkages. Combined with members' savings, Meghalaya's SHGs now boast a corpus of not less than Rs 1,000 crores.
The SHG movement is also central to realizing the Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma's vision of building a $10 billion economy by 2028, with $1 billion expected to come from SHG-driven activities. Women SHGs are also leading efforts to promote natural farming across the state. With active involvement from women SHGs, many villages are now on their way to being declared 'bio-villages'.
Ampareen stated that beyond livelihoods and market linkages, women SHGs are also leading a social reform movement in health.
Prior to 2020, Meghalaya recorded an MMR of around 240. This has now declined to below 104, following interventions by the health department and cash support to women through SHGs, resulting in a 50% reduction.
In Siej village, Laitkynsew, under Shella Bholaganj block in East Khasi Hills,Sitharaman trekked to the iconic Umkar living root bridge, a 300-year-old marvel of sustainable architecture woven from living tree roots. She met Hally War, the architect behind the bridge, and learned how his grandparents' stories inspired his childhood resolve to create a lasting solution for river crossings.
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