Will Women SHGs in Odisha be thrown under the bus as contractors go scot-free?

There is no denying the fact that the Odisha government has left no stone unturned to market itself as the sole benefactor of the women-power in State. By forming numerous women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Mission Shakti programme and extending them loans, the government leaves no chance to pat its back whenever the topic of women empowerment is raised in any forum.

However, with the passage of time and the 2024 general election around the corner, the people in the know of things apprehend that the women SHGs might be made scapegoats by the government as contractors go scot-free.

For example, Maa Brahmanidei Self Help Group was awarded a work order to construct a toilet near Icchabatiguda Cinema Hall in Nabarangpur town. The President and the Secretary of the SHG received the work order worth Rs 3 lakh in December 2021. However, the work is still unfinished and nobody knows when the toilet will be completed.

When asked about the toilet, the Secretary of the SHG denied to say anything in front of the OTV camera, but sources revealed that the contractor's commission from the bill amount has not been finalised yet. That is why the job is pending.

women do not have any experience in construction. That is why they involve other contractors to finish the job, which results in delays. This practice also paves way for the contractors to go scot-free in case irregularities are spotted in the work, effectively making the SHGs the sitting ducks as they are the ones who receive the work order from the government,” alleged a resident of Nabarangpur, Mrutyunjay Moharana.

As per the allegations, the money meant to be provided to the Self Help Groups for starting different business initiatives is getting diverted to other projects.

OTV has recently unearthed several irregularities and loopholes in the utilisation of interest-free loans.

The ground report revealed that the loan money is used for bizarre purposes like marriages and other personal reasons. The SHGs are allegedly lending the money to others to earn interest from people instead of using it for the intended purposes.

Some of the SHGs have reportedly started to drift away from the ruling Biju Janata Dal for that very reason. Many women SHGs are now alleging that the government is discriminating in providing loans and work orders on the basis of allegiance to the party. It has reportedly created fissures among many SHGs.

“The gap between the SHGs and the government is getting wider with every passing day. They are now drifting away from the party realising that they are being used by the State government to gain votes in the election,” said BJP leader, Prakash Behera.

Even the Congress party was of the same opinion. Speaking to reporters, Kantabanji MLA, Santosh Singh Saluja said, “The government picks up the President and Secretary of the SHGs and helps them swindle money. That is why women are trying to keep a distance from them.”

However, the Biju Janata Dal refuted the allegations and termed it a non-issue. “Odisha has an 80 lakh-strong Mission Shakti force and all the women are happy. The Opposition does not have any issues, that is why they are clinging on to it,” said BJD spokesperson, Lenin Mohanty.