Agartala, May 18: Bank loan of Rs. 2,389 crore has been disbursed to Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Tripura so far, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said on Monday.
He said, the number of SHGs in Tripura has now increased to 55,569 with involvement of around 4.95 lakh rural women. Through SHGs, the TRLM is playing an important role in transforming the lives of rural women.
While the SHG movement is largely contributing to the rural economy, it is also empowering the women financially and socially, bringing a positive change in the society, the Chief Minister noted while addressing a felicitation programme under the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission’s Samriddhi Campaign 2.0 at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan.
Speaking at the programme, the Chief Minister announced a plan for creation of 13,000 small enterprises under various blocks with an allocation of Rs. 38 crore.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid special emphasis on women’s empowerment and the state government is working in the same direction, with the TRLM is playing an important role.
“Due to various initiatives taken for the self-empowerment of women, rural women in the country are becoming self-reliant today. The TRLM Mission has been playing a major role in making rural women self-reliant. The success of Samriddhi campaign in the state came as a result of collective effort,” said Dr. Saha.
Secretary to the Rural Development Department, Abhishek Singh, said that the state currently has around 1.08 lakh Lakhpati Didis. He added that the government has set a target to create 3.5 lakh Lakhpati Didis over the next three years.
TRLM Chief Executive Officer Tarit Kanti Chakma highlighted the success of the “Samriddhi Abhiyan” conducted in two phases.
He said the first phase had a loan disbursement target of Rs 100 crore, but nearly Rs 188 crore was eventually distributed. In the second phase, the target was Rs 150 crore, while the total loan disbursement across both phases reached around Rs 488 crore. He also acknowledged the contribution of various banks in achieving the targets.
Acting Sabhadhipati Bishwajit Shil and Secretary to the Finance Department P.K. Goel among other officials were present. The Chief Minister inaugurated various rural livelihood-based projects worth a total of Rs. 24.37 crore by pressing the button as well as launched the SHG Insurance Linkage Campaign.
The Chief Minister also launched the TRLM’s first newsletter, “UDAN – Wings of Financial Empowerment”.
The newsletter highlights the various interventions, achievements, success stories, and activities undertaken by TRLM in promoting Financial Inclusion among rural women SHG members across the state. “UDAN” reflects the journey of empowerment, financial awareness, and self-reliance of countless women who are transforming their lives through the SHG movement.
In the event, the TRLM felicitated the Best Performing District, Blocks and Best Bank Branches for their outstanding contribution and relentless support in making the Samriddhi Campaign 2.0 successful. The Bank Sakhi Didis from all districts of Tripura were also felicitated.
One of the important highlight of the event was the success stories of several Lakhpati Didis. They narrated how government interventions and easy access to loans have transformed their lives, empowering them to become true Lakhpati Didis. The Chief Minister particularly lauded their efforts and said their journey will inspire other women.
The programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation of SHG members from all districts of Tripura, reflecting the spirit of women empowerment, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihood promotion.
Officials from Tripura Gramin Bank and several other banks were honoured for their contributions in providing loans to SHG Didis.