Matri Shakti in every house will be Swarojgari – with this target the 17th Regional Saras Mela was opened at Hapania International Fair ground in Agartala on Friday (Nov 18).
With phenomenal growth in number of SHGs, women participation and above all, volumn of revolving fund, the target appears realistic – and, Matri Shakti will blossom in every house in near future, opined some of the SHGs members who opened stalls in the Fair.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha inaugurated the Saras Mela today in presence of MLA Mimi Majumder, Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Dipak Majumder and other guests.
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According to an official press release, total 342 stalls were opened in the Saras Mela out of which 321 stalls have been set up by local Self Help Groups and six are from outside the state. The 17th Saras Mela will continue till November 30 next.
With growing emphasis on the development of SHGs for strengthening the rural economy and making the Matri Shakti – the women power – self reliant, the incumbent Tripura Government made several initiatives for encouraging women-led SHGs in the State, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said in his inaugural speech.
With sustained effort of the State government, SHGs are moving ahead fast, he said and added, at present, there are total 38,657 Self Help Groups (SHGs) – in 2017-18, the number of SHGs was 4153 – and 3 lakh 45 thousand women are associated with the SHGs. Importantly, the volume of revolving fund given to the SHGs increased many folds over the years compared to 2017-18.
“Rs 32 Crore 67 lakh were given to the SHGs for revolving fund in 2017-18. However, the volume increased to Rs 347 crore 61 lakh at present”, Dr Manik Saha said.
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Dr Saha lamented that no other government before Prime Minister Narendra Modi thought about making the Matri Shakti Swarojgari.
The Chief Minister also highlighted several initiatives taken by the Tripura Government for empowering the women of the State. Also, he focused schemes for farmers who have immense contributions in the development of the State and country.
Dr Manik Saha unveiled the cover of a book – “Lakhpati Didi” – relating to success stories of Women SHGs.
