SHG mela cum financial literacy camp held at Wapungskur village

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 2, 2022

To commemorate “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” and as a part of Northeast Festival, 2022 the office of the Block Development Officer, Wapung C&RD Block on Monday organized a Self Help Group(SHG) Mela cum Financial Literacy Camp at Wapung playground, Wapung Skur Village, East Jaintia Hills District.

Addressing the gathering, the chief guest, Abhilash Baranwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat said that Self Help Group(SHG) is an important medium to not only unleash the enterprising spirit of the people or to help them overcome poverty but is also a medium through which we can see social, economic, cultural, domestic and all sorts of empowerment. Further stating that the SHGs serve as a platform wherein the community comes together to uplift their standard of living and most importantly it empowers the women who are the main driving force behind every activity in the state.

The Deputy Commissioner also said that he will try his level best to ensure that the SHGs get adequate publicity and exposure because their products are among the best in the market. Dr. T. Shylla, Block Development Officer, Wapung C&RD Block, in his speech informed that in Wapung C&RD block there are 1710 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and a total of approximately 17000 members with 102 Village Organizations(VOs) who are engaged in different sectors with different department and different activities like piggery farming, livestock activities, poultry farming, cattle rearing, agricultural activities, horticultural activities, and other non-farming activities. 

Reading War, Advocate, Resource Person, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat highlighted the services provided by the office of District Legal Services Authority. He gave a brief introduction on the observation of International Workers’ Day and also spoke on the various laws and acts for protecting the labourers and workers in the organized and unorganized sectors that includes, the Trade Unions Act 1926, Payment of Wages Act 1936, Industrial Dispute Act 1947, Minimum Wages Act 1948, Maternity Benefit Act 1961, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 and the Child Labour (Protection and Regulation) Act 1986.

During the programme, a total of 8 (eight) Self Help Groups(SHGs) has been sanctioned loans amounting to Rs. 12 Lakhs (Twelve Lakhs) from various banks, out of which the two loans sanctioned by the Meghalaya Rural Bank, Wapung Branch was handed over by the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, A Baranwal, IAS, to Iatyllilang Self Help Groups of Pamra-Paithlu and Laibaitshaphrang Self Help Group of Wapung Skur, an amount of Rs. 2 Lakhs (Two Lakhs) each. It may also be mentioned that 10(ten) SHG loans were generated and submitted to Meghalaya Rural Bank of Wapung, Ladrymbai, Khliehirat, and Rymbai Branch. 

In the mela, a wide range of local products such as flowers, food products, vegetables, fruits, handicraft products, handloom products, tailoring, and embroidery products were exhibited by the Self Help Groups (SHGs) of the District. The mela was also participated by the Government departments of the District like the Office of the Superintendent of Fisheries, East Jaintia Hills District, District Labour Officer, Office of the Block Development Officer, Wapung C&RD Block, District Legal Services Authority, District Agriculture Officer, District Horticulture Officer, and a stall set up by Meghalaya Rural Bank for the opening of Bank Accounts, Social Security Scheme registration and SHG loan sanctioning. 

The other highlights of the event include dancing competition participated by the members of the SHGs and prize distribution to the winners.

Others who were present include Dr. T. Shylla, Block Development Officer, Wapung C&RD Block, Dr. R. Pyrtuh, Block Development Officer, Saipung C&RD Block and T. Kyndiah, District Child Protection Officer, East Jaintia Hills District.