Shillong: The Meghalaya Budget Session, held on March 11th, witnessed a critical examination of the state’s urban Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operating under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM).
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, responsible for Urban Affairs, revealed to the legislative body that out of the 510 SHGs registered since 2014, a concerning 41 have ceased operations, highlighting significant hurdles in the program’s effectiveness.
Legislator Adelbert Nongrum directly challenged the government’s support mechanisms, questioning the high failure rate despite claimed assistance. Dhar confirmed that each SHG received an initial Rs 10,000 start-up fund, designated as a revolving fund, as part of the DAY-NULM initiative.
Despite the confirmation of initial funding, Dhar remained silent on the adequacy of this financial support and offered no clear indications of plans for further aid or strategies to revitalize the collapsing SHGs. This lack of detailed response left numerous legislators expressing dissatisfaction and doubt about the government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of these critical community-based economic initiatives.
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