Nagaland Minister for Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir flagging off the vehicles distributed under Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) scheme at the Directorate of Rural Development, Kohima, on September 8. (Inset) Metsubo addressing the flag-off programme. (Morung Photo)
RD Minister launches Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)
Kohima | September 8
Morung Express News
With the objective to provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services in remote villages, a total of 30 Mahindra Bolero Pick-ups were handed over to 30 Village Level Organisations (VLOs) of Self Help Groups (SHGs) from 29 blocks on Tuesday.
The vehicles will be owned and operated by the SHG members and connect rural areas with key services and amenities such as access to markets, education and health for the overall economic development of the region.
The vehicles were flagged by State Minister for Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir during a brief programme organised by the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM), Department of Rural Development.
This rural transportation scheme called Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) was introduced by the Government of India under National Rural Livelihoods Mission during FY 2017-18.
12,000 SHGs covering 1,10,000 households
Acknowledging the role of women in caring for the vulnerable section of the people even during this COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Metsubo Jamir viewed that womenfolk have been instrumental in keeping the community resilient and safe through IEC (Information Education Communication) dissemination.
He also informed that there are already 12,000 SHGs covering 1,10,000 households in the state and encouraged the SHGs across the state to continue to provide critical services in their respective villages.
While congratulating the 30 beneficiaries of the scheme, Jamir also reminded them of their huge responsibility towards their community being the chosen 30 amongst 1,10,000 women.
Towards this end, he said “the success or failure of this programme will depend on the 30 of you,” while urging them to diligently conduct their business and ensure timely full repayment so that others can also benefit from the programme.
With the launching of AGEY, Jamir further congratulated the State Mission on being able to achieve such a milestone and for ceaselessly reaching out to every single poor household across Nagaland particularly, through engagement of women.
Meanwhile, Commissioner & Secretary, Neposo Theluo stated that this programme is expected to facilitate rural farmers’ and SHG members’ connectivity to market. Theluo maintained that the existing marketing gaps in the most remote places will be addressed through this scheme.
The beneficiaries were appealed to implement the programme in the right spirit in order to trigger interest among other people to take up such activities in their own areas, especially in these trying times where employment is scarce.
Need to monitor progress of implementation
The minister also appealed the state team to sincerely monitor the progress of the implementation in order to pave way for similar type of schemes that will help the poor and marginalized sections of the society.
Theluo also asked the district teams to strictly monitor and share timely progress report to the Mission and ensure that the programme is successfully implemented.
Facilitate credit linkages
Noting that Nagas have immense potential and resources for self-employment if the issue of credit linkage is addressed, the Minister reiterated that sincere effort needs to be put in by the Mission to facilitate credit linkages, especially in remote places where access to banking services pose a huge challenge between potential entrepreneurs and financial institutions.
He appreciated the State Mission for constantly striving for excellence when it comes to Financial Inclusion (credit linkage) especially after being awarded the Outstanding Performance in Bank Linkage with the Nagaland State Co-operative Bank.
Theluo also requested the State Mission to facilitate credit linkage with financial institutions so to enable interested people to take up similar types of activities in the coming days.
Selection based on capability: NSRLM Mission Director
Presenting a brief overview of AGEY, Mission Director, NSRLM, Imtimenla said beneficiaries have been selected based on their poverty status and their capability to operate the vehicle and similarly selection of blocks was done keeping in mind the topography of the particular area where transportation and communication are a challenge and where Community Based Organisations (CBOs) are functioning and also where there is presence of other livelihoods sub-programmes of NRLM like Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP) and Mahila Kissan Shashaktikaran Pariyojna (MKSP).
She informed that the Community Investment Fund (CIF) with a dedicated Rs 255 Lakh was earmarked by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) solely with the purpose of creating a corpus fund.
The dedicated AGEY CIF of Rs 8.5 Lakh, she said, will be given as interest free loan to members of SHGs with expected time for five years for repayment during which the beneficiary shall bear all operational costs of the vehicles including insurance, road tax, permit cost and any other maintenance cost that may be required to be covered for the operation of the vehicle.
While this fund cannot be utilised for any other purpose, Imtimenla added “it is expected that there will be funds available every 5 years for purchase of new vehicles for other new beneficiaries.”
It was further informed that SHG member shall run the vehicle on pre-approved and determined routes and charges fixed jointly by the operator in coordination with the Transport Department and the State Mission.
As AGEY is also a job provider, she maintained that only trained and experienced drivers possessing valid driver’s license shall be engaged to run the vehicle and the salaries of the drivers shall be borne out of the earnings from the operation of the vehicles. The District and Block teams shall ensure that the drivers do not have prior criminal or DUI (Driving Under Influence) related accidents record.
A feasibility study of the routes to be plied on was carried out in the selected blocks with strict adherence to AGEY guidelines, informed Imtimenla and added that monthly progress report shall be submitted by the blocks and uploaded onto the NRLM Management Information System (MIS) which will be accessible to all.
She also expressed hope that the remaining 45 Blocks will also be reached out if the Ministry extends the programme in future, which has already been proposed under the Economic Roadmap to the state government.
