Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a government initiative aimed at reducing poverty in rural India by promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities. This mission, launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, focuses on organizing the rural poor into self-help groups (SHGs) and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for them. The program is comprehensive, targeting all aspects of poverty and livelihood enhancement.
- Reduction of rural poverty.
- Promotion of sustainable livelihoods.
- Empowerment of women and marginalized communities.
What is Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)?
NRLM was earlier known as the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). It was a major initiative to eradicate poverty by promoting self-employment among the rural poor. It was launched in 1999 and aimed at providing sustainable income to poor households through the formation of SHGs.
Objectives of SGSY
- Income Generation: The primary goal was to create self-employment opportunities that generate regular income for rural households.
- Skill Development: The scheme focused on enhancing the skills of the rural poor, enabling them to take up sustainable livelihoods.
- Credit Linkage: Facilitating access to credit from banks and financial institutions was another crucial objective.
- Infrastructure Development: Developing the necessary infrastructure to support rural enterprises was integral to SGSY.
Implementation and Achievements
SGSY was implemented through a combination of subsidies and bank credit. It targeted both individuals and SHGs, providing them with training and financial assistance. The scheme saw the formation of numerous SHGs, enhancing the economic status of many rural families.
- Formation of SHGs: Many SHGs were formed, empowering women and marginalized communities.
- Skill Enhancement: Training programs improved the skills and productivity of the rural poor.
- Increased Income: Beneficiaries experienced a significant increase in their income levels.
Objectives of National Rural Livelihoods Mission
The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) builds on the successes of SGSY but with a broader and more structured approach. The primary objectives of NRLM include:
Poverty Reduction
The main objective is to reduce poverty in rural areas by providing sustainable livelihood options. NRLM aims to reach out to the poorest households and improve their income levels.
Empowerment of Women
NRLM places a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment. By organizing women into SHGs, it provides them with opportunities for leadership and economic participation.
Financial Inclusion
Financial inclusion is a critical objective. NRLM aims to ensure that every rural household has access to financial services, including savings, credit, insurance, and pensions.
Capacity Building
NRLM focuses on building the capacity of the rural poor through training and skill development programs. This helps them take up sustainable livelihood activities.
- Inclusive Growth: NRLM aims for inclusive growth by targeting marginalized sections of society.
- Sustainable Livelihoods: Promoting environmentally sustainable activities is a key objective.
- Community Participation: Encouraging community participation in planning and implementation processes.
Major Features of DAY-NRLM
DAY-NRLM incorporates several innovative features to achieve its objectives. Some of the major features include:
Community Institutions
NRLM promotes the formation of community institutions like SHGs and their federations. These institutions serve as platforms for collective action and mutual support.
Universal Social Mobilization
Universal social mobilization is a core feature. Every rural poor household is targeted and mobilized into the program, ensuring inclusivity.
Financial Assistance
NRLM provides financial assistance in the form of revolving funds and community investment funds. This helps SHGs undertake income-generating activities.
Livelihoods Promotion
The mission promotes a variety of livelihood activities, including agriculture, livestock, non-farm enterprises, and service sector jobs.
Skill Development and Capacity Building
Skill development and capacity building are integral parts of NRLM. Training programs are conducted to enhance the skills of the rural poor.
Convergence
NRLM ensures convergence with other government programs and schemes. This helps in leveraging resources and achieving synergies.
- Digital Inclusion: Promoting the use of digital technologies for financial transactions and information dissemination.
- Market Linkages: Facilitating market linkages for the products and services of SHGs.
Sub-schemes Under DAY-NRLM
DAY-NRLM includes several sub-schemes to cater to specific needs and regions. These sub-schemes focus on different aspects of rural livelihoods.
Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)
MKSP aims to empower women in agriculture. It focuses on improving the status of women farmers and enhancing their agricultural productivity.
- Training and Capacity Building: Providing training to women farmers on modern agricultural practices.
- Access to Resources: Ensuring access to resources like land, water, and credit for women farmers.
Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP)
SVEP is designed to support entrepreneurship in rural areas. It aims to create sustainable self-employment opportunities through entrepreneurship.
- Enterprise Development: Supporting the development of new enterprises in rural areas.
- Financial Support: Providing financial assistance to start-ups.
Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)
AGEY aims to provide safe and affordable transport services in rural areas. It promotes the use of electric and eco-friendly vehicles.
- Transport Services: Ensuring the availability of transport services in remote areas.
- Employment Generation: Creating employment opportunities through the provision of transport services.
Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs)
RSETIs provide training to rural youth for self-employment. These institutes offer a variety of courses that cater to different skills and trades.
- Skill Development: Offering training programs to enhance skills in various trades.
- Placement Assistance: Providing support for job placements and self-employment opportunities.
Conclusion
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a transformative initiative aimed at reducing rural poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods. By organizing the rural poor into SHGs, providing financial assistance, and promoting skill development, NRLM empowers communities and fosters inclusive growth. The various sub-schemes under DAY-NRLM address specific needs, ensuring that every section of the rural population benefits from the mission. Through these efforts, DAY-NRLM is playing a crucial role in transforming the socio-economic landscape of rural India.
