Baripada: Members of women self-help groups (SHGs) in Mayurbhanj district have become self-reliant and financially independent by undertaking various livelihood programmes under the Mission Shakti scheme, a report said.
However, the SHG members and residents of the district are in utter apprehension over possible abolition of Mission Shakti programme after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stormed into power by gaining majority in the recently concluded elections. They are now in a dilemma whether the new BJP government will continue with the schemes and programmes launched during the last 24 years of the former BJD government or abolish them. The possibility of scrapping the BJD schemes or replacing them has started haunting the SHG members while they are anxious about the approach of the new government that would be formed soon. This has pushed them into distress. Reports said sabai grass cultivation, manufacturing of sal leaf products, collection of minor forest produce, raggi cultivation and livestock farming have not only provided them a livelihood but made them financially independent.
The district has around 47,175 women SHGs in 26 blocks with a membership strength of around 4,71,750. There are 2,909 groups in Badasahi block, 1,180 in Bahalda block, 1,708 in Bangiriposhi block, 1,950 in Baripada block, 2,075 in Betanoti block, 1,014 in Bijatala block, 1,105 in Bisoi block, 1,321 in Gopabandhu Nagar block, 909 in Jamda block, 1,442 in Jashipur block, 2,328 in Kaptipada block, 1,924 in Karanjia block, 1,207 in Khunta block, 1,489 in Kuliana block, 1,268 in Kusumi block and 2,161 in Morada block.
Similarly, there are 1,445 SHGs in Rasagovindpur block, 1,093 in Rairangpur block, 1,238 in Raruan block, 1,422 in Saraskana block, 1,436 in Shamakhunta block, 1,002 in Sukruli block, 1,693 in Suliapada block, 1,679 in Thakurmunda block, 855 in Tiring block and 1,368 in Udala block. In order to strengthen the Mission Shakti programme and ensure its proper implementation, the state government had created district level federations, block level federations, gram panchayat level federations and engaged Bank Mitras, though with nominal remunerations. The state government had even announced to pay pension to the women SHG members. However, some observers, who were having a close watch on the functioning of the scheme, said the scheme lost its direction as a few unscrupulous SHG office bearers started doing politics while there were reports of pilferage of funds which in turn cost the BJD government dearly.
Consequently, the votes of the women members went in favour of BJP. Meanwhile, the residents are also apprehensive on continuation of Aahaar scheme, LAccMI bus service, Nua-O scholarship, BSKY and other host of schemes launched by the BJD government. On the other hand, BJP has promised to launch Lakhpati Didi scheme where every women will get a voucher of Rs 50,000.
