Bhubaneswar( Kalinga Voice) : The sound of sewing machines running in the “Mission Shakti Gruha” at Niali Gram Panchayat headquarter is a sign of women-led entrepreneurship and collective action at the grassroots under a common roof, dedicated to SHGs.
The Mission Shakti Gruha has been a common place for meeting, training & capacity building, retail sale hub for SHG produce and other group activities across Gram Panchayats of the State. ‘SHG members usually come here for meeting & brainstorming, they also use this infrastructure as a production center. During the Covid -19 pandemic, SHG members having tailoring experience set up mask manufacturing units here to produce protective face masks.
We also receive queries from local traders relating to SHG products here and facilitate their trade negotiation with corresponding producer SHGs. This Gruha has become synonymous with identity of Mission Shakti SHGs in the GP.’ Said Ms. Soudamini Mallik, Secretary of Biswakalyani SHG, Niali GP of Cuttack District. This SHG has been entrusted with the management of this Mission Shakti Gruha since it became functional a year The state Government has made provisions of buildings for SHGs – “Mission Shakti Gruha” in every Gram Panchayat of the State and in every ward in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). This dedicated infrastructure supports SHGs and their federations at the grassroots for undertaking group-based activities, skilling, market linkage development and most importantly a place of their own .
So far Rs. 317 crore has been sanctioned for construction of 6758 Mission Shakti Gruhas in rural and urban areas. Government of Odisha is committed to make provision for Mission Shakti Gruhas in all GPs and Urban wards. These Gruhas are constructed at the Gram Panchayat / urban ward Level with a budget of Rs. 5 lakh per Gruha which includes facilities such as meeting hall, sales counter and toilet & water supply facilities. Upon completion, such Gruhas are allotted to identified nodal SHGs for management. All SHGs of the locality have access to the Gruha. Around 1000 completed Gruhas are now being used by SHGs for group activities. This initiative of the State Government is revolutionising women-led collective efforts and acting as a catalyst for socioeconomic empowerment of women across rural & urban areas of the state.
The ‘Mission Shakti Gruha’ in Jharani GP of Turekela block, Bolangir was constructed in a record time of six months by Agragati SHG at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh. Pragati SHG has been designated as the nodal SHG for managing this Mission Shakti Gruha. This building is used for meetings by SHGs & the GPLF and for regular orientation of SHGs. It also serves as a centre for online farmers’ registration for paddy procurement and other paddy procurement operations.
Infrastructure for SHGs at the panchayat level has definitely given momentum to the SHG revolution in Odisha.
As Kunilata Samal of Omm Mahalaxmi SHG says – we have a place of our own in our village – a place we can go anytime to talk , plan , meet … and it’s good .
