The Odisha livelihood Mission (OlM) has registered a 100 per cent achievement in providing skill training and loans to women self-help groups (WSHGs) across the State. It was revealed at the OlM governing body meeting held under chairmanship of Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the Secretariat on Thursday.
Reviewing the progress of OlM programmes, the Chief Secretary directed the OlM to give focus on skill enhancement and transaction of ‘producer companies’ so that farmers can get more income.
According to data presented by Mission Director Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, as many as 1,01,392 WSHGs were provided bank loans against the target of 80,000 during 2017-18. A total of bank loans of Rs 1,504 crore was provided. Besides, 18,421 SHGs were provided “revolving funds’ and 28,518 given “community investment fund”. As many as 20,139 livelihood Workers have been engaged to provide support to people in creating livelihood sources. As many as 809 producer groups have been created and they are working for production of mango, vegetables, mushroom, textiles, incense sticks, cashew, pineapple, tassar, tamarind, maize, spice products, brooms, pottery, leaf plates and various kinds processing items.
An OlM action plan of Rs 45,181.77 lakh has been made for 2018-19 with an aim to create 30,000 SHGs, include 782 gram panchayats in “Intensive Approach”, creation of 600 GP-level federations and distribution of ‘Investment Fund’ to their affiliated groups, provision of livelihood support to 5 lakh families and provision of loans to 1,35,040 WSHGs. Among others, Development Commissioner R Balkrishnan, Finance ACS Tuhinkant Pandey and Forests and Environment ACS Suresh Chandra Mohapatra were present.