OREANDA-NEWS. In keeping with its commitment to providing sustainable livelihood for communities around its areas of operation, Coastal Gujarat Power (CGPL) has set up a self-help group (SHG) in the rural areas of Mundra and Mandvi taluka of Kutch, Gujarat, to enhance the socioeconomic standard of women. Tata Power, India's largest integrated power utility, has continuously endeavoured for positive upliftment of communities. In continuation with this philosophy of its parent company, CGPL has consistently organised initiatives for the socioeconomic well-being and inclusive development of all the people located in the vicinity of the project area.

Since 2008, CGPL has been engaged in forming women SHGs in the surrounding communities of their operations. The first SHG was formed in Tunda Vandh village, and the number of SHGs in the Mundra and Mandvi taluka of Kutch has now reached 45.

Through this programme, CGPL forms bank linkages, offers credit support and provides training and capacity-building workshops along with support to women to start their own ventures. Various awareness and educational sessions are held for women, to educate them on the importance and need for SHGs. CGPL SHGs are in line with the government's 'Sakhi Mandal' scheme which made the SHGs popular.

After receiving feedback from the women members keen on more livelihood-enhancing opportunities and a programme to enhance their savings and credit linkages, the CGPL team conceptualised a programme called “Vartika”, a programme to promote, train and establish market linkages for women artisans in Kutch.

As an indicator of the success of this engagement, a number of new SHGs have been formed in the Mundra area. Today there are 45 SHGs in seven villages and 445 women are a part of these SHGs. Out of these, 20 SHGs are credit-linked with the bank and have availed Rs11 lakh as credit support. As on July 2013, the cumulative savings of the groups amounted to Rs9.87 lakh.

These SHGs have helped to mobilise community participation for different development initiatives in villages. An example of advocacy and intervention through the SHGs was the sanitation programme by CGPL. Members of the SHG propagated the need for better sanitation facilities in the village and initiated dialogue for a sanitation programme.

Commenting on the initiative, KK Sharma, ED & CEO, CGPL, said, “We are happy that through this initiative and our continued engagement with women in the region, we have been able to contribute to their well-being. Our aim through these SHGs has been to financially equip these women towards independence and a better life. The SHG programme endows women to work as promoters and catalysts of change in their villages. We look forward to continuing this success and adding many such initiatives for the betterment of the community in Mundra and Mandvi.”