Agartala, May 18: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha addressed a gathering of Self-Help Group (SHG) members on Monday, emphasizing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed the political and economic empowerment of women at the forefront of his agenda.
Saha noted that women-led SHGs play a crucial role in Tripura’s predominantly rural economy, where approximately 70% of the state is rural. These SHGs significantly contribute to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth.
He highlighted that Tripura ranks second among northeastern states in terms of GSDP. Currently, over 4.9 million rural women are associated with 55,569 SHGs in the state’s rural and interior areas, striving for economic self-reliance.
Among the 495,000 women members of SHGs in Tripura, 108,281 have emerged as ‘Lakshmi Didis,’ a term for SHG members whose annual family income exceeds one lakh rupees.
Saha mentioned that various banks have provided loans amounting to ₹2,389 crores to strengthen livelihood activities for SHGs, while the state government has allocated ₹837 crores as operational and community investment funds.
He stressed that achieving the goals of a developed India and a developed Tripura by 2047 requires joint efforts from both men and women.
The event was organized at the Rabindra Shatabdi Bhavan by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), the nodal agency for SHG-related activities.
To empower rural women economically and socially, the Prosperity 1.0 and 2.0 programs have been successfully implemented.
Saha remarked that agriculture remains the backbone of the country’s economy and a lifeline for rural families. In line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision, an Integrated Farming Cluster (IFC) approach has been conceptualized to strengthen livelihoods specifically for SHG members.
He added that activities have commenced under 80 international finance projects with an investment of ₹32 crores in Tripura.
On average, 250 to 300 small and marginal farmers have been linked to livelihood service centers, which provide quality seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural tools, along with improved market access.
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