Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has distributed a loan amount of Rs. 200 crore to empower Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the state. The Chief Minister attended a loan disbursement programme empowering SHGs in Bhopal. There he stated that only ‘empowered women’ will make a strong Madhya Pradesh. Setting up of large industries alone does not make any State prosperous. House to house self-reliance develops self-respect and trust. “In the corona period, women’s self-help groups have set a new example in the country. So far, 33 lakh women have linked with SHGs. We have to move forward on the path of self-reliance in the next three years. This series will continue and will expand,” specified CM Chouhan.
CM Chouhan has launched a self-help portal, developed for the activities and marketing of self-help groups. A revolving fund of Rs. 70 crore and community investment fund was given with a single click by CM Chouhan to the self-help groups. As a symbol of the disbursement of loan of Rs. 164 crore in the State, CM Chouhan also provided cheques of sanctioned loans to needy families as part of the women empowerment scheme in Madhya Pradesh.
CM Chouhan also held talks with the beneficiaries of various districts. The Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development Ramkhelavan Patel participated in the programme, organized at Minto Hall Bhopal via video conferencing from Satna.
At the inaugural ceremony, CM Chouhan said, "I aim to serve the people of this state. My government is about dedicating itself to the cause of the people. The project will now help in the effective irrigation of farms". CM Chouhan said that the State Government is working on every aspect to provide equal status to girls and women in the society. Whether it is launching of Ladli Laxmi Yojana or the facilities provided for the school education, the goal is to provide equal status to them. Women have been linked with self-help groups to make them financially strong and self-reliant; this initiative is based on the principle of strength in unity.
CM Chouhan also narrated a motivational incident on the strength of unity before the women of the groups. He said that respect to sisters and daughters is paramount in our tradition. Even in religious beliefs, women were considered as all-powerful. The women of the State proved during the corona period that they are competent in protecting from every disaster. Masks and PPE kits, made by women self-help groups greatly helped the common people and the Government. The items prepared by the groups were purchased by the health department, medical stores and hospitals. He also said that products of self-help groups will be given priority in Government purchase. Self-help groups will also produce and distribute ready-to-eat nutritious food meant for distribution in Anganwadi centres. The uniform stitching work at school level will also be done by the self-help groups. In this self-help groups will be given full autonomy.
While encouraging the members of the self-help groups, CM Chouhan stated that the Government is with you in every situation. There is no need to panic and to be disappointed in any situation. The steps taken by the women in the direction of entrepreneurship will lead the family and society on the path of progress and the state towards self-reliance.
