Lok Sabha Question No. 2788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Convergence Model Intervention Project
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2788

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.20I5

## CONYERGENCE MODEL INTERYENTION PROJECT

## 2788. SHRIHARISHCHANDRACHAVAN:

Willthe Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT  be pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry  in consultation  with the other Ministries  is promoting the convergence  model intervention  project for  socio-economic  developmeni of underprivileged  women in rural areas;
- (b) if so, the details  of such schemes;
- (c) whether  the role ofwomen leadership  in facilitating  such schemes has taken into account and  if so, the details  thereof  along  with the specific  tasks carried  out through such schemes during the last three years and the current year;
- (d) the successful stories,  ifany, noticed by the Govemment in recent time; and
- (e) the achievements  made in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN  BHAGAT)

(a)&(b): The Joint convergence  guidelines  were issued for convergence  of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Emproyment Guaranree Scheme (MGNREGS;  r.vith the schemes  of Ministry  of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Forest.  Ministry of water Resources, Ministry  of Commerce  & Industry,  Minisrry of Textile and Ministry of Railr.vay  and other schemes of this Ministry including  pradhanMantri  Gram Sadakiojana, National Rurat I ivelihood Mission  Q',lRLM)  Indira Arvaasyojana  etc. The objective of tirese.programmes  is to bring about overall improvement  in the quality  of life of the people in .u.uj u.1u, including womer through employment generation,  developrrent of rural infrastructure and provision  of other  basic amenities.The convergence  between  MGNREGS  and NRLM is resulting  in increased participation  of women  in economic  aclivities. N RLM r.vorks torvards  criting robust institutional  platforms  of the rural poor,  especialry  women, in the fo,n of Self FIel[ groups (sHGs)  and their federations,  to improve  their access  to financial  services, and thereby-  build their sustainable  livelihoods.

(c) to (e): Yes, Madam.  NRLM programme  of the Government  mainly focuses on women beneficiaries to achieve  their  social and economic empowerment. It aims at building strong  and sustainable  grass root institutions  of rural poor women  and enabling  them to access  their own social  networks,  resources and knowledge for gainful self-employment  and skilled wage employment opportunities  and thereby achieve  appreciable improvement  in their livelihoods  on the sustainable  basis. Universal  social  mobilization through  formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) under NRLM and federating  these groups at village  and higher  levels ensures that at least one woman member from each identified rural poor household is brought  under the SHG network in a time bound  manner.  Special emphasis is on mobilizing  women from poorest of poor and most vulnerable communities  such as manual scavengers,  victims  of human  trafficking, particularly  yulnerable  Tribal Groups, persons  with disabilities and bonded labour.

The NRLM programme  seeks to cover 8-10 crore rural poor and vulnerable  household through formation and strengthening of 70-90 lakh SHGs, close to 600,000  village level federations  and around 24,000 cluster  level federation. NRLM will cover  all the 248076 Gram Panchayats. 6758 block and 648 districts in 29 States and 5 UTs. This will be done in a phased manner  by the year 2024-25. However, under the scheme  3,91,12,816  Households have been mobilized  and 33,78,369 SHGs have been promoted.