Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to women empowerment, the state government Thursday signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with national-level organisations to strengthen self-help groups (SHGs) under Mission Shakti programme.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who attended the event as the chief guest, announced that financial assistance to the tune of Rs 110.97 crore has been transferred to the accounts of 1,63,757 SHGs towards repayment of bank loans. The agreements were signed with the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI), the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC), the Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI), and the National Commission for Women (NCW).
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Parida said, “Mission Shakti, under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is working to create women-led enterprises at the grassroots level. By nurturing Odisha’s traditional tribal art and skills, we aim to increase the number of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ across the state.” As part of the agreements, FICSI will train 10,000 SHGs in fruit pulp processing, spice processing, oil extraction, multi-skill techniques, and fruit and vegetable dehydration. TSSC will pilot a project in 30 gram panchayats of Cuttack district with the objective of training 60 women in mobile handset repairing. GJSCI will provide training to 1,440 SHG members in silver filigree (tarakasi) craftsmanship, linking them to e-commerce platforms and markets.
NCW will offer self-defence training to SHG women aged 18 to 40 in five districts, aimed at enhancing confidence, safety awareness, and group solidarity. Additionally, under its CSR initiative, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCB) provided a transparent-door refrigerator to Subhadra Shakti Café.
