SHGs turn saviours in Kendrapada district

Kendrapada: The women’s self-help groups (SHGs) have emerged as the only hope for a large number of villagers in Kendrapada district. These groups, which have a presence in many villages, are providing people with essential commodities at their doorstep to make sure that residents have no cause to step out.
“Women SHG members are being tapped by the district administration for the supply of vegetables, fruits and grocery items in the villages.There is hardly a village that does not have an SHG. Each SHG has up to 20 members,” said district project manager (DPM) of Odisha Livelihood Mission, Satyabhama Pradhan.
The SHG members have been asked to take all precautions while distributing essential commodities. “Many SHGs have some experience in paddy procurement and conducting different types of businesses and surveys. Hence, they are quite competent to provide essential commodities at the doorstep of the villagers,” said Narahari Sethi, additional district magistrate, Kendrapada. Sethi said the SHGs were providing supplies to both ration card holders and those without one. They have been allowed to sell these commodities between 7 am and noon.