New Delhi, October 23 (IANS). According to information given by the Central Government on Thursday, the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) was launched in 2010 as a mission-mode scheme by revamping the previous Swarna Jayanti Grameen Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). In 2016, the program was renamed as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).
According to official information, the central and state governments jointly provide funds to this scheme. It is one of the world’s largest initiatives to improve the livelihoods of the poor.
This scheme has played an important role in the success stories of successful entrepreneurs. The success story of Heenidamnki Kanai, a successful entrepreneur from Meghalaya, is related to this scheme. Kanai joined the Kirshanlong Self-Help Group (SHG) in January 2020. With the support of self-help groups and guidance from the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), he started making soap by hand, for which he used rose, aloe vera, orange and lemongrass.
His hard work started paying off in August 2023, just a few months after starting his business. Seeing his potential, the bank gave him a bank loan of Rs 1.8 lakh through SHG. With this money he purchased new machinery and equipment and also got lab testing done to ensure the quality of his soap.
Heenidamnki’s enterprise began to flourish with continuous efforts. His annual income crossed Rs 1 lakh, which changed his life and gave him the confidence to dream. She did not stop at her success and started training other self-help group members in her village in soap making. He spread awareness and inspired others to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
As per official information, DAY-NRLM has organized 10.05 crore rural women families into more than 90.90 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs) in 28 states and 6 union territories.
In addition, 4.62 crore Self Help Group members are employed as women farmers. 3.5 lakh Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis have been appointed. 6,000 integrated agriculture clusters have been created. There are 1.95 lakh producer groups, which have benefited more than 50 lakh rural women.
3.74 lakh enterprises have been supported in 282 blocks. Since 2013-14, women self-help groups have received loans worth Rs 11 lakh crore. 47,952 Bank Sakhis have been appointed in bank branches to facilitate credit linkage of Self Help Groups.
According to government data, as of June 30, 2025, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are among the states with the highest number of self-help groups (SHGs) and have linked the highest number of women families to self-help groups since their inception.
The high performing state under DDU-GKY from 2014-15 to June 2025 has been Uttar Pradesh, which has trained the maximum number of 2,44,528 candidates. After this, Odisha has trained 2,15,409 candidates and Andhra Pradesh has trained 1,33,842 candidates.
In terms of employment, Odisha continues to lead with 1,77,165 candidates, while Andhra Pradesh has also recorded the best performance with 1,17,881 hiring.
–IANS
SKT/
