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.
