Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Launches Interest-Free Scooter Scheme For SHGs

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday launched ‘Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana’ for the members of women self-help groups (WSHGs) at a function held in Odisha capital, where 100 women were handed over keys of scooters.

A total of 15,000 Mission Shakti women received their scooters on the inaugural day.

This scheme will facilitate crucial mobility support to Mission Shakti federation leaders and community support staff through full interest subvention on bank loans up to Rs 1 lakh for purchase of scooters of their choice.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the performance of women involved in Mission Shakti is not only good but praiseworthy. “Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey of women empowerment. We have taken a significant stride towards supporting our mothers as they receive their Mission Shakti scooters. The government will providing a generous interest subvention of Rs 528 crore over the next five years. Over 2 lakh Mission Shakti mothers and grassroots staff will benefit from it.”

Mission Shakti Secretary Sujatha Karthikeyan said that the launch of the scheme is a milestone step.

Official sources said around 75,000 community support staff and nearly 1,25,000 federation leaders at panchayat, block and district levels will directly benefit from the new scheme aimed at enhancing their ability to carry out their responsibilities effectively, promoting efficiency and expanding their outreach within the community.