Indus Valley Times

By Addanki Iswar R.

Malkangiri,11 October,2023:-Hon’ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women, in a state-level launch event. The event, hosted at the District Collector’s office, was overseen by District Magistrate and Collector Vishal Singh. Distinguished guests in attendance included Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Majhi, Malkangiri MLA Aditya Madhira, Chittarakonda MLA Purun Chandra Baka, SDC Chairman Adma Raba, and Zilla Porishad Chief Executive Officer Ratnakar Sahu, who joined the event via video conference.

The scheme, as highlighted by the Chief Minister, will provide a means of empowerment and enhanced mobility for women. It is anticipated to open up new professional opportunities while strengthening the Mission Shakti movement, benefiting around 70 lakh mothers. Odisha stands as the sole state offering government jobs to mothers, contributing significantly to the state’s progress.

MP Ramesh Majhi expressed optimism about the scheme’s success in Malkangiri district. A budget of 300 million rupees has been earmarked to provide 3000 members of the district with scooters.

Under this initiative, members of Self Help Groups (SHG Mahasangha), Community Support Staff, and Executive Committee members will receive interest-free bank loans up to one lakh rupees, repayable over 48 installments within four years.

So far, 152 beneficiaries have been approved for loans, with 104 receiving scooters. The remaining eligible beneficiaries will receive their loans in due course, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 528 crore 55 lakh benefiting 2 lakh recipients over the next five years.

Additionally, block and district-level missions were announced to facilitate Shakti Federation members’ transportation for government work. The Chief Minister affirmed the goal of promoting self-help group members as entrepreneurs, providing a direct interest subsidy of Rs. 150 crore to their bank accounts.