As part of the celebration of Meghalaya’s 50th year of statehood, the office of the Block Development Officer, Khliehriat C&RD Block today organised a Self Help Group Mela cum Health Camp at the office campus of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat.
The programme was held with the objective to generate greater awareness on poverty alleviation programme under NRLM through social mobilisation of the poor rural women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) 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.
Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla in his speech as chief guest said that with the presence of SHGs under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (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 uplift 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.
The minister also stated that as responsible citizens, it is very important to work together with the government departments in order to bring about a positive change for the overall development of the district and the State as a whole.
East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Ethelbert Kharmalki informed the gathering that there are a total of 1652 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and 87 Village Organisations (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.
Speaking on Covid vaccination, he stated that “We should prepare and protect oneself from the virus and the only way is by getting vaccinated”. He also urged the gathering and those above 18 years of age to take the opportunity to get vaccinated in the health camp which was part of the SHG Mela.
Earlier, Ronald Kynta, Chief Operating Officer of NRLM and MSRLS informed that the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) started in November 2014. He said that at present there are 35,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and four lakh households have been benefited across the State.
He also stated that the aim of the National Rural Livelihood Programme is to form 42,000 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 National Rural Livelihood Programme.
The chief guest presented awards for the SHG Social Mobilisation for 100 per cent HHs Saturation to Sohkymphor village, Iahluti VO, Tubershohshrieh village, Iasakhilang VO, Pynthorsale village, Iakyntulang VO, Mutong village, Mutong VO, Larsen VO and Larseng village.
The award for Covid Vaccination Mobilisation with 100 per cent vaccination coverage of persons aged 18 and above was given to Iaseinlang VO and Nangkiew Shaphrang 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 mobilisation for 100 per cent HHs mobilisation and SHG formation and the best performing BC agent. Meghalaya Rural Bank branches of Khliehriat, Wapung and Lad Rymbai received an award for the NRLM SHG Bank Linkage Programme.
In the exhibition conducted during the day, stalls were set up for Aadhaar registration and enrolment, MHIS registration also displaying information regarding the opening of SHG bank account, demonstration on digital transaction through micro ATM, enrolment/ registration and formation of SHG, SHG products.
Schemes under the Fisheries Department and the District Legal Services Authority were also exhibited. Banks of the district including State Bank of India and Meghalaya Rural Bank also took part in the exhibition. A Covid vaccination drive was also carried out by the office of the District Medical and Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills District wherein 41 individuals got vaccinated.
The SHG Mela cum Health Camp can be deemed a success as the exhibition saw a huge participation of people of the district. During the day long exhibition, 14 people enrolled in the Meghalaya Health Insurance Service (MHIS), nine people enrolled for Adhaar card, 53 people registered in RSETI, 120 people enrolled in PMSBY, 32 enrolled in APY, 152 enrolled in PMGGY.
A total of 50 SHGs opened their bank accounts, eight VOs opened bank accounts. A total of 23 loans were sanctioned today by Meghalaya Rural Bank. The total loan generated was 20 and a total of Rs 20,600 loan repayment was made by the various SHGs of the district.
