Odisha to provide free smartphones to 6 lakh women SHGs

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced to provide smartphones to six lakh women Self Help Groups (SHGs) free of cost under Mission Shakti programme.

"My dream is to see that every woman has access to the knowledge economy. As a first step my government will digitally empower all the six lakh Mission Shakti groups with a smartphone," the Chief Minister said at a seminar on women entrepreneurship at the Make in Odisha Conclave here.

He said Mission Shakti, which was started as a project in 2001, has transformed into a movement with 70 lakh women, 6 lakh groups, Rs 5,000 crore savings and Rs 2,000 crore annual bank exposure.

TRENDING NOW

NT Awards 2023: Zee Business shines in five categories

COVID-19 Update: India records 148 new coronavirus cases, infection tally stands at 4.50 crore

Startup hBits offers Rs 28 cr-commercial property in Mumbai to HNIs for fractional ownership

Delhi Weather Update: National Capital records minimum temperature at 8.5°C

Animal Box Office Collection: Ranbir Kapoor-starrer touches Rs 600 crore mark worldwide | Check OTT release details

Tata Group submits application to set up semiconductor processing plant in Assam: CM Sarma

COP28: New GST draft text gives four options for move towards clean energy

Government approves 100% packaging of food grains in jute bags

Tata Motors unveils comprehensive service plan to serve flood-affected customers

India vs South Africa 2023-24: T20, ODI, Test Matches Full Schedule, Match Dates, Time in IST, Venues, Squad, Free Live Streaming Details

Australia's PM Albanese says migration intake must be 'sustainable'

BSE, Wipro, Blue Dart, Persistent Systems, Spandana Sphoorty: Stocks to watch on Monday

Sri Lanka records $1.8 billion tourism revenue till November

Infinix Smart 8HD smartphone launched at just Rs 5,669 - Check features and specs

India to be USD 5 trillion economy by end of 2025: Amit Shah

"Our women have come a long way and the next ceiling to be broken is the digital one. My government is aware that digital empowerment will further accelerate the socio-political and economic empowerment of women," said Patnaik.

He said there is no habitation in the state without a Mission Shakti group.

"Almost every second household has a member in Mission Shakti. We have had the highest drop in Maternal Mortality Rate. Our Infant Mortality Rate is better than the national average. Our institutional delivery is a record 90 per cent," he said.

Watch this Zee Business video here:

He added that "whenever my government has made an initiative, whether Mamata or Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana or the Land Rights, the state always runs the extra mile for women."

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani during his address at the conclave had said that they are working with the Odisha government on an initiative to integrate several lakh women in the digital mainstream under the Mission Shakti scheme.