Pfoshuo Arücho
October 31
DIMAPUR (MExN): In a function held at Imliyanger Memorial Centre (IMC) Dimapur today, rice mill machines were awarded to Women Self Help Groups (SHG) under the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund by the Directorate of Women Department, Government of Nagaland. Speaking at the function Khevito T. Shohe, the Joint Director of Directorate of Women Development said that the Department of Women Development was created in 2003-04 to fulfill the government commitment to the people for empowerment of women economically and socially and to recognize the crucial role, the women can play in the development processes and also to facilitate women attain self reliance and social equality with men as equal partners. The main objective of the scheme is to alleviate the burdens of the women folks in rural areas and the destitute women, enabling them to use modern technology, so that they can spare more time to look after the family and participate as equal partners in the various affairs of development and also to reduce the workload of women in the rural areas said the Joint Director. The Department also provides financial assistance of Rs 100/- per month to 750 rural and destitute women and the Department is planning to add 500 more women by this year stated Khevito. The Department also has Training cum Production Centre at Kohima, where women are given advanced training in tailoring, weaving, knitting etc. At present, there are 72 trainees and a stipend of Rs.600 was given to the trainees. During 2003-04, altogether 50 women were covered and they were formed into 10 SHG’s, each consisted of 5 members and the 10 SHG’s was given machines free of cost, seed money and a loan of Rs.10,000 besides a stipend of Rs.1200/- per month stated the Joint Director.
In the first phase of distribution today, altogether 34 SHG’s were given the machine of which 12 are from Kohima, 10 from Zunheboto and 12 from Dimapur. The beneficiaries are required to put up a sign board displaying “Supported Under Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund”. The machine consisted of 4 components with 8 horse power from Kirloskar Company. The cost per machine is Rs.30, 000/- and the total expenditure for the 50 machines was Rs.15, 20000/-. The criteria of selection and awarding of the machines was based on the existence and successful functioning of the SHG’s and need not be necessarily registered said Khevito. A Nodal officer has been appointed to monitor and supervise the functioning of the SHG’s and also for proper co-ordination among SHG’s.
The Department has thanked the Chief Minister for providing adequate fund for upliftment of women in the rural Nagaland and has also acknowledged the sincere effort made by the government for addressing the various issues pertaining to women’s problems in the state through the Department.
