A proposal to give financial support to members of Mission Shakti SHG, as well as EC and MC members for uniforms and blazers, was accepted by the Odisha Cabinet on Friday.
The State Cabinet decided that 70 lakh SHG members would receive Rs 1000 apiece for uniforms, and 1.5 lakh EC and MC members would receive Rs 2000 each for Blazers.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Mission Shakti has developed to empower women and redefine their roles in society, turning Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into powerful engines of social and economic change.
Mission Shakti has emerged as one of the nation’s leading models of women’s empowerment under the state’s 5T strategy.
Because of the State Government’s commitment to Mission Shakti, which promotes women’s empowerment, more women are entering the sunrise industries and achieving economic independence. Women’s entrepreneurial endeavors have been supported by state department investments in SHG infrastructure and creative convergence models.
With a budgetary allocation of Rs 730 crore during the FY 2023–2024, the Cabinet approved financial assistance in its meeting to provide uniforms for all 70 lakh SHG members throughout the state, over 1.5 lakh Executive Committee (EC) members of Gram Panchayat Level Federations (GPLFs), Block Level Federations (BLFs) & District Level Federations (DLFs), and Management Committee (MC) members of Area Level Federations (ALFs) under ULBs.
Financial assistance to all Mission Shakti SHG members @Rs 1,000 per SHG member will be provided to purchase uniform of choice as per their group decision.
Similarly, financial assistance of Rs 2000 per EC member of GPLFs, BLFs & DLFs / MC members of ALFs under Mission Shakti will be provided for purchase of Blazers of their choice.
This amount shall be deposited in the bank accounts of SHGs and Federations.
This historic decision aims to preserve and promote the unique identity of SHG members and federation heads under Mission Shakti, reinforcing their role as change-makers and leaders within their communities, while also fostering an environment of professionalism in budding SMEs.
The brainchild of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Mission Shakti in Odisha has undergone a remarkable evolution, gradually ascending step by step to empower women and redefine their roles in society. From managing households to nurturing entrepreneurship, Mission Shakti has transformed more than 6 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into formidable forces driving economic growth and social change in the state.
These strong women now hold prominent positions in their communities as leaders, innovators, and business owners. Mission Shakti has changed cultural perspectives and inspired future generations by promoting a culture of self-reliance and resilience. It has also given women a platform on which to represent the Mission Shakti movement globally.