Mahila Sasaskthikaran Yojana (MSY) – Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation (GTDC)
Through the implementation of this scheme, the tribal women across the state were able to generate weekly income for themselves.
Problem
- Poor tribal women living in several areas across the state of Gujarat were suffering from low-income levels and lack of job opportunities
- Schemes existed for augmenting the income levels in tribal areas but it was very difficult to monitor them
- The people’s participation in government schemes was not at the desired levels
- Transparency and accountability were lacking
Solution
- Under this scheme, the government made an effort to promote the dairy businesses for improving the income level of tribal women
- Local milk societies were formed at village levels so that the beneficiary can easily be identified and no fraudulent practices occur
- The district-level milk societies will be operating purchase and processing of milk and purchase of cows and providing medical facilities
- They maintained a common bank account with government agencies for loan and subsidy requirements
- Under this scheme, every woman whose income is less than Rs 120,000/annum gets the benefit of a loan of Rs 20,000 from the Gujarat tribal development corporation for the purchase of milch cows
Outcomes
- Because of this scheme, the tribal women across the state were able to generate weekly income for themselves
- Almost 12,000 to 15,000 tribal women population are covered each year through this programme
- Around 1.5 lakh tribal women population has been covered so far under this programme impacting an equal number of tribal families and their households
Project Details
Category: Governance (Women Development)
Sub-category: Rural Livelihoods
Project: Mahila sasaskthikaran yojana(MSY)
Organisation: Gujarat tribal development corporation(GTDC)
Start Date: 01-Apr-2007
https://adijatinigam.gujarat.gov.in/
Problem
Poor tribal women living in several areas across the state of Gujarat namely Valsad, Vansda, Narmada, Bharuch, Tapi, Mandvi, Chhota Udaipur, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Modasa, Sabarkantha, and Banaskanta were suffering from low-income levels and lack of job opportunities. However, the government of Gujarat has implemented various schemes for augmenting the income levels in tribal areas but it was very difficult to monitor and supervise. The people’s participation was also not at the desired levels. Transparency and accountability were also lacking
Solution
In these areas, cows and milk are essential for rural households. Under this scheme, the government made an effort to promote the dairy businesses for improving the income level of tribal women. Before the implementation of this scheme, there was a requirement to implement it in a structured fashion so that it never collapses and sustains itself for long. Therefore, local milk societies were formed at village levels so that the beneficiary can easily be identified and no fraudulent practices occur. These local co-op milk societies are connected to taluka level co-op milk societies and then to district co-op milk societies. The district-level milk societies will be operating purchase and processing of milk and purchase of cows and providing medical facilities etc. They will also be maintaining a common bank account with government agencies for loan and subsidy requirements. For repayment of loans, they maintain other bank accounts to ensure the transparency of transactions.
Apart from that, district co-op milk societies also have software where each wise loan and subsidy aspect is reflected at the click of a button. Under this scheme, every woman whose income is less than Rs 120,000/annum gets the benefit of a loan of Rs 20,000 from the Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation for the purchase of milch cows. She is also considered eligible for Rs 34,000/- subsidy from the state government.
Outcomes
Through the implementation of this scheme, the tribal women across the state were able to generate weekly income for themselves. This project has immensely contributed to augmenting the income levels of tribal households and also helped to boost the morale and confidence of tribal women across the state. Almost 12,000 to 15,000 tribal women population are covered each year through this programme. Around 1.5 lakh tribal women population has been covered so far under this programme impacting an equal number of tribal families and their households. Because of the programme, the women who have received loans can pay it back successfully. Over the years the loan recovery rate is 70%.