Fund allocation to SHGs under Mission Shakti to double: Sujatha R Karthikeyan, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti, Govt of Odisha

Jun 29, 2021

BHUBANESWAR, 29 JUNE 2021: Ms Sujatha Karthikeyan, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti, Govt of Odisha today said that Mission Shakti is ensuring skill development and financial independence of as many as 70 lakh women across the state under the incumbent government.

Addressing the first-ever all India women virtual roundtable on Community Engagement of Mission Shakti, Odisha 50 and Way Forward, Ms Karthikeyan elaborated on the various activities undertaken by the state government for Mission Shakti. She informed that the government is planning to double the total fund allocated for state's women entrepreneurs from INR 4,000 cr to INR 8,000 cr. "Empowerment has to be holistic. Mission Shakti aims at giving women their independent identities and voice," she said.

Further, Ms Karthikeyan noted that several women have been employed as bank correspondents in rural areas to ease bank-related issues of residents. The plan of establishing Mission Shakti Markets in various places, including Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Balasore, Rourkela and Berhampur, is also on cards. Additionally, a Mission Shakti app has been introduced to aid digital training to women entrepreneurs and SHGs to enhance their work output, she added.

Ms Rekha Lohani, Additional Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Twin City said that the confidence level among the women entrepreneurs and women members of self-help groups (SHGs) is gradually improving as they are turning financially independent. She also mentioned several steps that the police department is undertaking to ensure the safety of women, children, and senior citizens in these testing times. Several women and child helpdesks are being set up in every police station and nodal officers are being appointed to watch over the wellbeing of senior citizens residing in the twin cities.

Ms Suma Devi Dash, Director-Finance, Ashwini Hospital, spoke about the importance of creating a flexible environment for women in workspace, instead of just including them in male-dominated work fields. It is quite necessary for women to hone and utilize their skills to become financially independent; all they need is confidence, she added.

Ms Rashmi Sahoo, Director of Ruchi Frozit Division, narrated how women employees in her firm are not just using their culinary skills but also enthusiastically training in the firm's technical and management fields.

Ms Tanaya Patnaik, Executive Director of Sambad Group reiterated about the importance of digital and financial literacy in the society.

Professor (Dr) Sasmita Samanta, Pro Vice Chancellor of KIIT University and Vice Chancellor of KISS (deemed to be University) spoke about the importance of financial and moral empowerment of rural women SHGs.

The 6th virtual roundtable of FICCI Odisha Council deliberated on Community Engagement of Mission Shakti, ODISHA50 and Way Forward. It was moderated by Ms Monica Nayyar Patnaik, Chairperson, FICCI Odisha State Council and Managing Director of Sambad Group. Ms Baijayanti Kar, ODISHA50 Team Leader and DGM-Human Resources Department, Sambad delivered the concluding remarks and vote of thanks.