How Did Paschim Medinipur Achieve Top Position in Women's Self-Help Groups?

West Midnapore, Aug 13 (NationPress) Paschim Medinipur, commonly referred to as West Midnapore district, has claimed the leading spot in West Bengal for the establishment of women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and the distribution of loans. This district, situated in the Jangalmahal region, also excels in the realm of microfinance.

For many years, the state government has been actively promoting initiatives aimed at empowering rural women. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has persistently urged officials in various administrative meetings to take significant steps toward enhancing women’s independence.

In response to these directives, the Paschim Medinipur district administration has been implementing a variety of skill-training programs for women involved in SHGs. Following their training, numerous women are now earning a livelihood through the creation of handicrafts, engaging in food processing, and undertaking other small-scale enterprises. Even rural housewives are becoming part of this transformative initiative.

As per official statistics, the number of self-help groups in Paschim Medinipur has surpassed 70,000. In the current financial year, loans amounting to approximately Rs 56 crore have been allocated to SHGs in the Keshpur block. In the Debra block, loans have reached Rs 108 crore. Women in Narayangarh block have been granted nearly Rs 80 crore in loans, while Sabang has seen Rs 54 crore and Pingla Rs 40 crore distributed. Comparable facilities have been extended across all 21 blocks in the district.

In an interview with IANS, Paschim Medinipur District Magistrate Khursheed Ali Qadri expressed gratitude to the entire team, stating: "I want to thank the whole team. Our staff, including the BDOs and SDOs, is dedicated to enhancing SHG microfinance. We aim to elevate the living standards of SHG members and foster overall development in the district."

This initiative is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a poverty alleviation program overseen by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). Launched in June 2011, the scheme operates nationwide (excluding Delhi and Chandigarh) with the objective of organizing impoverished rural households into self-help groups, nurturing and supporting them until they achieve a stable increase in income and enhance their quality of life, thereby enabling them to escape from poverty.

To date, 10.05 crore rural women’s households have been mobilized into over 90.90 lakh self-help groups across India, with Paschim Medinipur emerging as a model district for others to emulate.