Bhubaneswar, 24 June (H.S.): The Mission Shakti Department on Wednesday organized the State-level Subhadra Shakti Vision Summit at Mission Shakti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, bringing together nearly 330 Executive Committee members of District Level Federations (DLFs) from all 30 districts of Odisha.

The summit witnessed the disbursement of significant financial assistance aimed at strengthening women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and community institutions across the State.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, Pravati Parida, released Rs 147.76 crore as Interest Subvention benefiting 2,88,198 Self-Help Groups across Odisha.

As part of the programme, 23,536 SHGs from 26 districts received Rs 45.71 crore under the Revolving Fund (RF) scheme. Representatives of Maa Mangala SHG and Sriram SHG from Khordha district were presented cheques of Rs 30,000 each by the Deputy Chief Minister.

In a major boost to community institutions, 624 Gram Panchayat Level Federations (GPLFs) from 27 districts received Rs 189.57 crore under the Community Investment Fund (CIF). Representatives of Abhayamukhi GPLF and Gualipada GPLF from Puri district were handed cheques worth Rs 35 lakh each.

Additionally, 656 Area Level Federations (ALFs) from 15 districts were provided Rs 9.64 crore under the Vulnerability Reduction Fund (VRF). Representatives from Rampur and Jahna ALFs in Jajpur district received financial assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh each.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the Odisha Government envisions transforming the State into a prosperous and developed economy by 2036, with women emerging as key drivers of growth and social transformation. She emphasized that empowering every SHG member to become a self-reliant entrepreneur remains a top priority of the Government.

Highlighting the success of the flagship Lakhpati Didi initiative, she announced that Odisha has surpassed its target ahead of schedule by creating 26,39,909 Lakhpati Didis, crossing the 25-lakh milestone nearly a year before the stipulated deadline.

The summit featured extensive discussions on women's role in achieving Odisha Vision-2036, promotion of Lakhpati Didi, Mahalakshpati Didi and Crorepati Didi entrepreneurs, strengthening women-led enterprises, enhancing producer groups and producer companies, improving market linkages, expanding financial inclusion, and sharing successful entrepreneurship models from across the State.

Mission Shakti Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Manasi Nimbhal, Director Dr. Monika Priyadarshini, General Manager and SLBC Odisha Convenor Pranab Kumar Biswas, along with senior government officials, representatives of District Level Federations, banking institutions and partner organisations, attended the summit. District-level officials and Mission Shakti members from across Odisha also participated virtually.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda