Bhubaneswar: In a bid to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Odisha’s Mission Shakti Minister Pravati Parida announced a significant restructuring initiative aimed at empowering local women.
The move, part of the state government’s broader efforts to connect all households with SHGs, will see leadership changes at the grassroots level.
New presidents and secretaries will be appointed at the Gram Panchayat Level Federation (GPLF), Cluster Level Forum (CLF), and Block Level Federation (BLF) to strengthen women’s economic empowerment and ensure a more inclusive system.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Yoga Mahotsav at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Minister Parida explained that while the central government had previously emphasized the inclusion of every family in SHGs, many households were excluded during the tenure of the previous government.
To address this gap, the Odisha government has launched concerted efforts to ensure that all families are brought into these vital community groups.
“We are committed to ensuring that no family is left out of the program. The state government is working diligently to include every household in SHGs,” Parida said.
As part of the reforms, Parida emphasized that leadership at the grassroots level will be overhauled. New appointments will be made across SHGs to foster a transparent, efficient, and inclusive system.
The restructuring process is expected to provide women with greater access to loans and revolving funds, thus boosting their economic independence and enhancing the overall management of SHGs.
This restructuring aims to ensure that SHGs are better positioned to provide critical support to women across the state, fostering a stronger, more resilient network of community-driven empowerment.