‘Odisha women SHGs stitched more than 40 lakh masks during lockdown’

Bhubaneswar: At a time when there is a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in Odisha, members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) stitched more than 40 lakh masks and distributed during the lockdown so far. This was informed by Mission Shakti Director Sujata R Karthikeyan here today.

When the nation has been in the lockdown, members of the SHGs in Odisha did some commendable work in the fight against COVID-19. They stitched a significant number of masks and distributed among people. This apart, 8,000 members of the SHGs have been providing ration and vegetables in different districts including containment areas so that people do not face difficulties in getting essential items, she added.

The SHGs have set up kitchens for poor and distressed in panchayats and have already prepared 1.5 crore meals so far, she informed.

Mentioning that the next two months will be crucial in the battle against deadly COVID-19, Karthikeyan on behalf of the State government urged the SHG members to work with the same spirit and dedication like earlier. “Every member of the SHGs is a corona warrior,” she said.

With help of banks, the State government has been disbursing Rs 145 crore loans to SHGs without any interest for several activities during the lockdown.

To keep the economy abuzz and provide some money to women, the government has facilitated Rs 5,000 loan to every woman member of SHGs in the State, she said, adding that the loan amount must not exceed Rs 1 lakh for each group.