Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Friday inaugurated the Mission Shakti Auditorium and Mission Shakti Call Centre at Bhubaneswar.
Parida, who also heads the Mission Shakti department of Odisha government, said the facility will play a key role in furthering development and empowerment of women SHGs across the state.
The a state-of-the-art facility with a seating capacity of 400 has been constructed by IDCO with an expenditure of Rs 7.59 crore on the premises of Mission Shakti Bhawan at Pokhariput in Odisha capital.
The auditorium is designed to host a wide range of events including training and capacity-building programmes, seminars, workshops, and product launches, directly benefiting SHGs and their federations, the department officials said.
Parida also inaugurated the Mission Shakti Call Centre, on the same premises which will serve as a centralized support-hub for all self-help groups.
The call center is equipped to handle queries related to Mission Shakti programmes, provide personalized assistance to SHG members and gather feedback on ongoing programmes & initiatives, ensuring a communication channel between SHGs and the state government, the department informed.
The toll-free number 155276 will be operational from 10 am to 5:30 pm, on all working days.
The Deputy CM applauded efforts of Mission Shakti department for its commitment to fulfilling aspirations of women across the state.
Mission Shakti department exceeded its 100-day-target including, interest subvention of Rs 175 crore to SHGs, providing government business worth of Rs 530 crore to SHGs, bank linkage of over Rs 2,340 crore to SHGs, creation of over 2.20 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and 750 Producer Groups, establishment of 100 Mission Shakti Retail Marts, since formation of the new government, she stated.
Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti Shalini Pandit, State Mission Director-cum-CEO, Odisha Livelihoods Mission Vineet Bhardwaj, Additional Secretary, Mission Shakti Sumitra Patnaik and senior officials of the department and IDCO were present on the occasion.
“Mission Shakti solidifies its position as a catalyst for transformative change driving women’s empowerment and fostering sustainable economic growth across the state,” a state government press note read.
Success of Mission Shakti initiatives reflects commitment of the department to uplift women through financial independence, entrepreneurial opportunities, and institutional support, thereby ensuring lasting socio-economic progress in the state, the press release added.