The hardworking women of the state, who have discharged their role well in the upbringing of the family; are now moving ahead on the path of self-reliance to contribute to the economy. The Mukhya Mantri Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojna is no less than a boon in giving flight to these spirits. Under this scheme, their socio-economic development is being ensured by providing additional financial help to the women belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Presenting the annual budget estimate for the year 2022-23, the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had announced to start Mukhya Mantri Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojna with the objective of providing livelihood and self-employment related activities to lakhs of women belonging to self-help groups and to boost entrepreneurship. The main objective of this scheme is to socio-economic empowerment of the women of self-help groups formed under the Rural Development Department. Under the scheme, additional revolving fund will be provided to self-help groups to start livelihood activities and to increase entrepreneurship, so that they can be financially strengthened.
For the purpose of providing social security to lakhs of women belonging to SHGs, they will be registered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna, the annual premium of these insurance schemes would be borne by the state government. The honorarium of trained community resource persons under State Rural Livelihood Mission has also been increased. In the financial year 2022-23, an additional revolving fund of Rs. 25,000 per group will be provided to about 10 thousand SHGs associated with village organizations. The honorarium of trained and working community resource persons under the State Rural Livelihood Mission such as Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi, Krishi Udyog Sakhi, Vitt (finance) Sakhi, Bank Sakhi etc. will be increased from Rs. 350 per day to Rs. 500 per day. Additional interest subvention would also be provided to category-2 districts (remaining 8 districts) like the four Category- I districts of Shimla, Mandi, Kangra and Una under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, so that SHGs in these districts also get the rate of 4 per cent on loans from banks. After giving interest subvention in category-2 districts by the Government of India, whatever additional interest subvention will be payable, will be borne by the State Government.
Under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojna, a state-level Jeevan Hai Anmol campaign was launched in the state to include all eligible women belonging to SHGs under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna. About 2.20 lakh women belonging to SHGs have been registered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna and 1.85 lakh women under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna during this campaign which started on the eve of Himachal Day on 15th April, 2022 and lasted for 25 days. Under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna, women belonging to self-help groups will get the benefit of accident insurance of Rs. 2 lakh and life insurance of Rs. 2 lakh. After registration under these schemes, the cost of premium payment will be borne by the state government. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virendra Kanwar said that the easy availability of loans and low interest rates under Mukhyamantri Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojna will help self-help groups to start self-employment activities and increase entrepreneurship, while for rural women SHGs, this scheme will also prove effective in strengthening the economy of the villages through development.
