Bhubaneswar, Feb 2: Mission Shakti women in Odisha will be provided with smartphones, new uniforms and new identity cards from Utkal Divas, announced Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.

Speaking at the interest subvention programme for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) held at Mission Shakti Bhawan, the Deputy Chief Minister said that smartphones will be distributed to Community Resource Persons (CRPs). Around 46,000 CRPs will benefit from the initiative. She also stated that the sarees to be given to Mission Shakti women will showcase the rich Odia identity and cultural heritage.

Highlighting the state government’s commitment to women empowerment, Pravati Parida said the interest subvention scheme on bank loans has played a key role in strengthening the economic condition of women and mothers. The scheme has helped reinforce SHGs, expand market opportunities and encourage women entrepreneurship.

She informed that after the formation of the new government, the interest subvention programme for SHGs has been fast-tracked. In three phases, an amount of ₹318.30 crore has already been disbursed to 5,44,493 groups. Additionally, ₹197.66 crore has been refunded to 2,80,586 Self-Help Groups.

To further ease the financial burden on SHGs, the Odisha government has enhanced the bank loan limit and reduced the annual interest rate to zero percent for loans up to ₹10 lakh. The interest subvention amount is being directly credited to the bank accounts of the SHGs.