October 22, 2026 - IndiaVerve

New Delhi: Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and Executive Director Anant Ambani welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday during their visit to Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The visitors toured Reliance’s refinery complex, where they were given an overview of its scale, advanced technology and integrated operations, according to a company media statement.

They were also briefed on Reliance’s New Energy giga-factories, which are being commissioned in phases, and data centres currently under construction.

During the visit, Mukesh Ambani and Anant Ambani outlined Reliance’s long-term vision for the Jamnagar complex and its development as a centre for deep technology, innovation and advanced manufacturing.

“The visit included wide-ranging discussions on the global energy landscape and opportunities for commercial partnerships across conventional and new energy. The exchange covered reliable and affordable energy supplies, technological advances, resilient supply chains and the investment required to meet growing demand,” the statement said.

The interaction also explored the growing connection between energy and digital infrastructure, particularly the importance of dependable power supplies for data centres and the expansion of the digital economy.

It added: “Mukesh Ambani and Anant Ambani shared their perspectives on opportunities for collaboration with US companies, drawing on complementary strengths in technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing. The interaction provided a constructive opportunity to exchange industry perspectives and explore areas of mutual commercial interest.”

The Reliance leadership shared perspectives on potential collaboration with US companies, highlighting complementary strengths in technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing.

The company described the interaction as an opportunity to exchange industry perspectives and explore areas of mutual commercial interest.

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Livelihood Mission has recognised 26.59 lakh women as Lakhpati Didis and facilitated bank-linked loans worth Rs 75,116 crore for 5.95 lakh Self-Help Groups to boost rural livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment.

The progress was reviewed at the fifth Governing Committee meeting of the Odisha Livelihood Mission, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

The meeting focused on expanding livelihood opportunities for rural families, strengthening SHG-led enterprises and improving the implementation of livelihood programmes across the state.

Garg stressed the need to help more SHGs develop into successful micro and small enterprises. She also called for identifying successful SHGs and enterprises as examples to motivate other groups to expand their activities and improve their incomes.

The Chief Secretary directed officials to prioritise livelihood programmes in areas covered by PM-JANMAN and the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan. She emphasised the need to ensure effective implementation at every level and conduct regular reviews of programme outcomes.

According to the figures presented at the meeting, more than 50 lakh SHG members, accounting for 84%, are engaged in farm-based livelihood activities. Over two lakh members are involved in service-based activities, while 2.30 lakh members are engaged in non-farm and other sectors.

The average loan amount received by SHGs has increased from Rs 4 lakh in 2024 to Rs 5.96 lakh in 2026. The higher loan amounts are expected to support the expansion of livelihood activities and the development of rural enterprises.

Financial assistance of Rs 7,997 crore has also been provided to 1.70 lakh entrepreneurs. Women recognised as Lakhpati Didis are engaged in agriculture-based enterprises, animal husbandry, non-timber forest produce, aquaculture, production, business and service activities.

The meeting also reviewed the inclusion of more SHG families in OLM programmes, the formation of block-level and Gram Panchayat-level federations, revolving fund disbursement, bank linkage targets and loan disbursement.

Officials discussed the registration of Gram Panchayat Level Federations and reviewed follow-up action on decisions taken at the fourth Governing Committee meeting held on September 10, 2025. The committee was also briefed on decisions taken at six Executive Committee meetings.

Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, the meeting examined the sanction and expenditure of funds allocated under various schemes.

The enrolment of SHG members under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana was also reviewed. Under the latter scheme, 47.26 lakh members have been enrolled, achieving 97% of the annual target for 2026-27. The enrolment figure under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana was not specified in the information provided.

Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, senior officials from the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Mission Shakti Department, and Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department attended the meeting.

State Mission Director and CEO of the Mission Shakti Department, Monika Priyadarshini, presented details of the Odisha Livelihood Mission’s programmes and achievements.

Reliance Industries hosts Marco Rubio at Jamnagar refinery, showcases new energy projects

Odisha Livelihood Mission supports 26.59 lakh Lakhpati Didis