A significant administrative initiative has been launched in the Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh to foster self-reliance among rural women. Under this new welfare scheme, local women will be encouraged to start their own micro-businesses by joining self-help groups. To ensure the effective implementation of this program at the grassroots level, 'Samuha Sakhis' (group facilitators) will be deployed across rural areas to guide women in joining these groups and securing necessary financial assistance. Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), the district administration has set a target to establish 30,000 new Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Azamgarh.
Targeting Eligible Ration Card Holders
To achieve this massive target, the administration has formulated a structured plan. Women from families holding eligible ration cards in the district will be integrated into these newly formed self-help groups. In order to extend the benefits of these welfare schemes to every single ward of the local panchayats, one Samuha Sakhi will be selected for each village. Dr. Aradhana Tripathi, the Deputy Commissioner of the National Rural Livelihood Mission in Azamgarh, explained that the primary responsibility of these group facilitators will be to raise awareness among rural women. They will actively visit households, educate women about the benefits of self-help groups, and assist them through the enrollment process.
Selection Criteria and Required Skills
Specific guidelines have been established for recruiting these group facilitators. According to Deputy Commissioner Dr. Aradhana Tripathi, the Samuha Sakhis will not be hired from outside; instead, they will be chosen from the active members of existing self-help groups operating in the rural blocks. Generally, one qualified woman will be selected from a cluster of five to ten functioning groups to take on this role. To qualify for this responsibility, the candidate must possess basic educational qualifications so she can comprehend and manage essential paperwork. Additionally, having basic smartphone literacy is a mandatory requirement to handle modern digital communications and reporting.
Fixed Monthly Honorarium for Facilitators
In recognition of their efforts and responsibilities, the government will provide a regular financial incentive to the Samuha Sakhis. Dr. Aradhana Tripathi stated that each selected facilitator will receive a monthly honorarium of 2,000 Rupees as remuneration for her services. This initiative is expected to be highly beneficial in promoting self-employment and financial independence among rural women, offering them a reliable source of income right within their villages. By creating local livelihood opportunities, this administrative step is set to significantly uplift the rural economy of Azamgarh.
