Bhubaneswar, 06 October (H.S.): Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday said women are emerging as key drivers of the State’s economic and social transformation and will play a leading role in Odisha’s development.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Department of Mission Shakti at Mission Shakti Bhawan here, Parida released ₹99.26 crore in interest subvention for 1,79,809 Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

She said the Government is taking several measures to strengthen the financial and institutional capacity of SHGs and their federations, create livelihood opportunities and promote women-led enterprises, with the objective of enabling more women to become Lakhpati Didis.

A budget provision of ₹575 crore has been made for interest subvention to SHGs during 2026-27. With Tuesday’s release, the total interest subvention released during the current financial year has reached ₹247.03 crore. The Government has also set a target of ₹20,000 crore in bank credit linkage for SHGs during the financial year.

The programme also saw the release of ₹151.28 crore under various community-based financial support mechanisms. This included ₹29.31 crore as Revolving Fund for 15,526 SHGs, ₹113.80 crore as Community Investment Fund for 371 Gram Panchayat-level Federations and ₹8.18 crore as Vulnerability Reduction Fund for 605 Area Level Federations.

Parida also witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). One was signed with the Collective for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CINI) to strengthen the Lakhpati Didi initiative, while another was signed with the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) to promote green entrepreneurship among women SHGs.

The OREDA partnership will support women entrepreneurs in developing environmentally sustainable enterprises and creating sustainable livelihoods through renewable energy initiatives.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti, Manasi Nimbhal, Director Mission Shakti Dr Monika Priyadarshini, senior officials, representatives of banks and partner organisations, and SHG members from across the State attended the programme physically and through virtual mode.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda