Shillong, Oct 12: With the objective of generating greater awareness on Poverty Alleviation Programme under NRLM, the Office of Block Development Officer, Khliehriat C&RD Block on Tuesday organized a Self Help Group Mela cum Health Camp at the office campus of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District.The camp is also part of Meghalaya’s 50th year of statehood celebrations, wherein Social Welfare Minister, Kyrmen Shylla was the Chief Guest.
The objective of the programme is to generate greater awareness on Poverty Alleviation Programme under NRLM through social mobilization of the poor rural women into SHG and link them to a formal financial institution and awareness to the participants on health Services and to reassert the importance of maintaining COVID appropriate behaviour, especially during the festive seasons.
Speaking on the occasion, Shylla said the presence of SHGs under the NRLM has provided a platform for empowering women through various livelihood activities, showcasing their skills by producing varied range of products, and to work towards being contributors for their family in particular and the upliftment of the society as a whole.He urged the district officials to create more awareness to the general public on the government schemes and benefits so that the beneficiaries will get the knowledge and information of the criteria required to avail the schemes provided by the various departments of the District.
Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District E Kharmalki informed the gathering that there are a total of 1652 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and 87 Village Organizations (VOs) in Khliehriat C&RD Block and also stated that it will enable the people to take up different livelihood activities that are income generating and as a key step to reduce poverty.
He also urged the gathering to take Covid-19 vaccine stating that it was best way to protect oneself from the deadly virus.
Aim of National Rural Livelihood ProgrammeÂ
Chief Operating Officer of National Rural Livelihood Programme (NRLM) and MSRLS Ronald Kynta informed that the aim of the Programme is to form 42000 Self Help Group in Meghalaya, targeting women belonging to poor households to be members of Self Help Groups and to get all the essential benefits, assistance and the right platform to showcase their skills and talents through the NRLP.
He also mentioned that the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) started in the Month of November 2014.
He said that at present there are 35000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and 4,00,000 households have benefited from the mission across the State.
Awards to SHGs
The Chief Guest also presented awards for the SHG Social Mobilization for 100 % HHs Saturation to Sohkymphor Village, Iahluti VO, Tubershohshrieh Village, Iasakhilang VO, Pynthorsale Village, IakyntulangVO, Mutong Village, Mutong VO, Larsen VO and Larseng Village.
Award for COVID-19 Vaccination Mobilization with 100 % COVID-19 vaccination coverage of age 18 and above was given to Iaseinlang VO and Nangkiewshaphrang VO of Cham Cham Village, Malidor Village and Deilangchirup VO of Mookympad Village.
The Other awards that were distributed during the programme included Socio-economic Management during COVID-19 pandemic, Community Mobilization for 100 % HHs Mobilization and SHG Formation and the Best performing BC Agent. Meghalaya Rural Bank – Khliehriat Branch, Wapung Branch and Lad Rymbai Branch received an award for the NRLM SHG Bank linkage Programme.