Sonia wants scheme on fast track

Jun 04, 2013 |

Age Correspondent

New Delhi

Ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections due next year, the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday called for quick implementation of Aajivika mission, particularly in central and eastern parts. The Centre had rechristened National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) as Aajivika and Mrs Gandhi was addressing a second anniversary function of the flagship scheme.
Stating that empowerment of weaker sections and women has been the main pillar of the UPA government, Mrs Gandhi stressed on poverty alleviation and noted the importance of the Aajivika in making people self-dependent.
During her speech, she also announced that a special package is being prepared for north-eastern states and hilly states, like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Spelling out the target of the government, the UPA chairperson said that in the next 10 years, seven crore below poverty line (BPL) families have to be lifted out of the poverty. Stating that the task was not easy, Mrs Gandhi said: “Aajivika Mission in many states have proved that through women self-help groups (SHGs), economical and social changes can be brought in the rural areas. Seeing this success, it seems that Aajivika Mission will have to be implemented fast across the country especially in central and eastern India.”
Launched in June 2011 in Banswada in Rajsthan by Mrs Gandhi herself, Aajivika seeks to create efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor. It seeks to enable people in rural areas to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.
The ministry of rural development has stated that the Aajivika has a target to cover seven crore BPL households across 600 districts, 6000 blocks, 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and six lakh villages through self-managed SHGs. The ministry seeks to support the SHGs in a period of 8-10 years.
Lauding the scheme, Mrs Gandhi stated “today everybody has proved that this programme can free women from the curse of poverty”.

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