Bhubaneswar: The Assembly witnessed a heated debate Monday as Opposition MLAs moved an adjournment motion over an alleged assault linked to a self-help group (SHG) loan in Bhadrak district.
The motion claimed that a daughter was beaten after her mother failed to repay loan instalments, raising concerns over women’s empowerment in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida strongly dismissed the allegations, terming the motion “baseless, factually incorrect and politically motivated”.
She emphasised that the government remains fully committed to monitoring incidents involving women sensitively. Parida clarified that Manorama Mahapatra of Jai Bajrang SHG in Arangi village had taken Rs 60,000 from a Rs 7-lakh SHG loan and repaid Rs 18,000 before her death.
Her daughter Mona Lisa Mahapatra later joined the SHG. She stressed that internal SHG loan decisions are collectively made, and family members must settle outstanding dues using the deceased member’s savings.
Manorama was covered under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), and her family is eligible for Rs 2 lakh.
Regarding the alleged assault, the Deputy CM described it as a “temporary emotional dispute within the SHG” and confirmed that it is under police investigation, with strict action promised under law.
She highlighted reforms under the current government, including immediate FIR registration and thorough investigations, citing a recent cyber fraud case involving a former IT minister.
Addressing the House, Parida condemned repeated suspension motions against the Mission Shakti department, calling them politically motivated and “unbecoming of the dignity of this august House”.
She urged the Opposition to cooperate constructively rather than targeting the state’s more than six lakh SHGs and over 70 lakh women associated with Mission Shakti.
Highlighting government initiatives, she detailed the successes of Mission Shakti, including the creation of over 16.41 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ through various schemes, with a target of 25 lakh by 2027.
The government has doubled revolving fund assistance for SHGs from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 and increased Community Investment Fund support from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 60 lakh for GPLFs.
The recently concluded State-level Subhadra Shakti Mela from November 1–12 brought together over 300 SHGs, generating business worth over Rs 12 crore, creating 328 ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and 10 ‘Maha Lakhpati Didis’ (annual income above Rs 10 lakh).
To enhance market access, 273 retail marts have been operationalised, and more than 4.33 lakh women were added to 9,227 new SHGs through social inclusion campaigns.
The government has established 322 block-level and 13 district-level Subhadra Shakti Centres, with 97 Panchayat-level centres completed, along with 5 district-level markets, 700 urban Mission Shakti Gruhas, and 6,500 rural centres.
SHGs have availed Rs 8,891 crore in bank credit this year, with Rs 228.09 crore in interest subvention.
Over the past two years, SHGs received government business worth Rs 5,411.45 crore.
On social security, 36 lakh women are enrolled under PMJJBY and 46 lakh under PMSBY.
The state has signed MoUs with ONDC and Flipkart to enable national-level online sales of SHG products.
Traditional food competitions at block, district, and state levels further promote entrepreneurship, offering winners training, free stalls, and exposure visits outside the state.