SULM celebrates PRAISE Awards for Street Vendor Empowerment

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 24, 2024

The State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM) under the Urban Affairs Department of Meghalaya held the PRAISE (Performance Recognition for Access to Financial Inclusion and Street Vendors Empowerment) Awards ceremony on October 23. This state-level event recognized key stakeholders who significantly contributed to the Prime Minister’s Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) scheme, empowering street vendors across Meghalaya.

Attendees included Sanbor Shullai, MLA South Shillong; Satish Kumar Singh, Under Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India; and Pravin Bakshi, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary of Social Welfare, among others.

PK Boro welcomed dignitaries and thanked the self-help groups (SHGs) for their participation. The event featured nine street vendors and their spouses as special guests, celebrating their contributions under the PM-SVANidhi scheme.

Sanbor Shullai emphasized that the PRAISE Awards recognize best practices under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM) and highlight the collaboration among state stakeholders, urban local bodies, and financial institutions. He acknowledged the unwavering commitment of all involved.

Pravin Bakshi praised the recipients, noting Meghalaya’s outstanding performance in the PM-SVANidhi scheme, ranking third among hilly states. Satish Kumar Singh congratulated the beneficiaries, highlighting the collective effort of urban local bodies, the government, and financial institutions in achieving common goals.

Larisa Mawroh, State Mission Manager, SULM, reported the mobilization of approximately 500 SHGs and the establishment of City Livelihood Centers (CLCs) in Mawkhar and Tura. She announced initiatives to streamline operations, including a new mobile app for street vendors and SHG grading.

Key initiatives launched during the event included the Meghalaya Street Vendors Mobile App, SHG Grading App, and the DAY-NULM website, along with unveiling reports on the progress of DAY-NULM and PM-SVANidhi.

The awards recognized SHGs for their contributions in various categories, including Green Jobs and Sustainability, Food Processing, Entrepreneurship, and Service Delivery, underscoring their role in urban poverty alleviation and community empowerment. The PRAISE Awards celebrate the collective efforts of government bodies, banks, and local stakeholders in fostering the economic wellbeing of street vendors.