By: Shamikh Rais Siddiqui
Bahraich: In a bid to accelerate the implementation of rural livelihood initiatives and strengthen women-led economic empowerment, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Sunil Kumar Dhanwanta chaired a district-level review meeting under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) at the Vikas Bhawan auditorium on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner (Self Employment), all Block Development Officers (BDOs), District Mission Managers, Assistant Development Officers (Rural Development), Block Mission Managers, Computer Operators and other officials associated with the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
During the meeting, CDO Sunil Kumar Dhanwanta conducted an extensive review of the district’s performance on key components of the mission, including the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), SHG profiling, Vidyut Sakhi activation, Revolving Fund (RF), Community Investment Fund (CIF) demand generation, and bank credit linkage.
Reviewing the progress made up to July 2026, the CDO noted that against the annual target of 5,639 Self-Help Groups, only 1,092 SHGs had been formed, indicating the need for a significant improvement in the pace of implementation. He stressed that all departments and field-level officials must work in close coordination to achieve the remaining targets within the stipulated time frame.
Expressing concern over the unsatisfactory performance of Mahsi, Payagpur, Huzoorpur, Chittaura and Shivpur development blocks, which recorded the lowest progress in the district, the CDO directed the Deputy Commissioner (Self Employment) to seek explanations from the concerned Block Development Officers, Assistant Development Officers (RD) and Block Mission Managers. He emphasised accountability and instructed officials to immediately intensify efforts to improve their performance.
Sunil Kumar Dhanwanta also directed all development blocks to expedite SHG profiling, strengthen the implementation of the Vidyut Sakhi programme, increase the demand for Revolving Fund (RF) and Community Investment Fund (CIF), and enhance bank credit linkage so that women associated with Self-Help Groups receive timely financial support and livelihood opportunities.
The CDO underlined that the success of the National Rural Livelihood Mission depends on effective grassroots implementation and regular monitoring. He urged officials to maintain continuous engagement with Self-Help Groups and ensure that eligible beneficiaries are linked with government schemes without delay.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chief Development Officer reviewed the government’s target for the manufacture of Tiranga (National Flag) by Self-Help Groups ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. He instructed officials to motivate SHG women to undertake large-scale flag production and ensure that every Gram Panchayat receives the required Tiranga flags by August 12, 2026, enabling timely distribution before Independence Day.