GUWAHATI: In a bid to push forward women empowerment, Government of Assam would extend the ambit of implementation of Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni to cover all urban areas of the state.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced this while taking part in a programme to kick-start the second phase of implementation of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) expanding its coverage newly in 72 Municipal Boards and Town Committees of the state in a programme held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati on 26th July.
The DAY-NULM is a flagship mission under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and is presently being implemented in 25 urban local bodies (ULB) in the state by Assam State Urban Livelihoods Mission Society.
As part of the launch of the second phase of the mission, Chief Minister Sonowal released Rs. 1.26 crore to the newly covered 72 Municipal Boards and Town Committees. He also handed over cheques of revolving fund of rupees ten thousand each to two hundred Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rupees fifty thousand each to eight Area Level Federations (ALF) in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the state government would release additional revolving fund of rupees fifteen thousand each to the SHGs of urban areas apart from rupees ten thousand already released to them. He also announced a cash award of rupees ten lakh to the town committees and municipal boards for outstanding performance in maintaining cleanliness in urban areas.
Highlighting the initiatives being implemented by the state government for skill development of the SHGs, Chief Minister Sonowal informed that training for the SHGs have already been launched and all 219 development blocks of the state would be covered under this programme. He also emphasized on the need for quality training and a modern outlook for the womenfolk of the state to excel in today's competitive world and said that the women SHGs of urban areas would receive most advanced training to upgrade their skills.
Minister of State with independent charge for Urban Development Pujish Hazarika and GMC Mayor Mrigen Sarania while speaking on the occasion outlined the roles and responsibilities of the urban local bodies and the SHGs in a successful implementation of the DAY-NULM.
MLA Bimal Bora, Deputy Mayor of GMC Bijulee Kalita Medhi, Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department Ajay Tiwari, Chairman of Assam Gramin Bikash Bank Sanjay Nanda and host of other dignitaries were present in the programme.
Coinciding the programme, Chief Minister Sonowal also gave away awards of excellence to seven SHGs for their performance and national award-winning NGO Sangam for its commendable service towards cleanliness.