Raipur: Improving women’s participation alongside men in any working-age population is crucial for rapid economic development. Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s initiatives have significantly increased women’s participation in the workforce. One such notable scheme is the “Godhan NYAY Yojana,” which has provided rural communities with additional income opportunities beyond farming. More than 46 per cent of the beneficiaries are women, and this scheme alone has improved the economic conditions of over 1.71 lakh women. Over 3 lakh women are directly engaged in diverse economic activities from the sale of cow dung to income-generating activities being conducted in Gauthans, making a valuable contribution to the state’s economic growth.
The Godhan NYAY Yojana has brought prosperity to various sections of society in Chhattisgarh, benefiting as many as 3,41,713 cattle rearers. Women are earning a decent income by selling cow dung and other livelihood activities and supporting their families. Some have used the income thus earned to purchase two-wheelers for themselves, while others have contributed to building their houses.
A total of 10,426 Gauthans have been approved in the state, out of which 10,206 have already been constructed. Women are involved in various income-generating activities in these Gauthans, including vermicompost production, mushroom farming, fish and poultry farming, commercial vegetable cultivation, and the production of herbal gulals and cow dung-based products. There are 14,504 self-help groups in the state, with a total of 1,71,585 women members engaged in various economic activities and have collectively earned an amount of Rs 131.46 crore so far. These women are happy and have expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for providing them with these opportunities.
Women earned Rs 6 lakh by selling vermicompost
Terina Sahu, a resident of Bhatgaon in Dhamtari district, is a member of a self-help group consisting of ten members actively engaged in various livelihood activities, including vermicompost production. The group has earned a total income of Rs 6 lakh from these activities, with Rs 56,000 from vermicompost and Rs 75,000 from poultry farming. The women in the group also have plans to try their hands on goat rearing. Terina expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister for this scheme.
Kaushalya bought scooty with the help of Godhan NYAY Yojana
Kaushalya Bhagat, a resident of village Dandtoli in Jashpur district, purchased a scooty with the help of the Godhan NYAY Yojana by selling cow dung. Now she is no longer dependent on others for her household chores and attending group meetings as she has her own vehicle. Kaushalya mentioned that she joined the Unnati Mahila Self-Help Group associated with Cheria Gauthan three years ago. She sold 160 quintals of cow dung, generating an income of Rs 32,000. The group is engaged in various activities, including vermicompost production, and earned Rs 1.43 lakh by selling 180 quintals of vermicompost. Additionally, they earned Rs 45,000 through goat rearing and Rs 15,000 through fish farming.
The group has also earned Rs 32,000 by cultivating potatoes and ginger. Additionally, the group has been provided with a mini rice mill, through which they generated an income of Rs 18,000. In this way, the group earned a total income of Rs 2.40 lakh with each member earning more than Rs 18,000. Kaushalya was able to purchase the scooty based on her immediate needs by selling cow dung. Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, Kaushalya said that it was due to such good schemes like the Godhan NYAY Yojana that she was able to achieve this.
