Centre ‘examining’ state’s Mahila Nidhi proposal for capital support of ₹100 crore

Jaipur: The ministry of rural development (MoRD) has said that it is examining the proposal from the state government on the release of capital support amounting to Rs 100 crore and a grant of Rs 10 crore for administrative and technological support for Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi (RMN). It said it would take necessary action as per the procedure laid down.The ministry also said the decision for establishment of RMN was taken independently by the state government without consultation with MoRD and that the revised proposal seeking financial assistance for it was submitted by the state government “almost in the fag end of quarter 3 of the financial year 2022-23.” The ministry responded to a TOI story that stated it was yet to release the capital support and establishment cost for Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi Credit Co-operative Federation, which was launched by CM Ashok Gehlot in August last year. An official statement issued by the ministry said after the state government submitted a proposal in September 2022 seeking financial aid for RMN, the proposal was improvised based on suggestions from MoRD and a revised proposal with addendum was submitted to MoRD on Nov 18, 2022.“As already recommended by the expert group, the financial support to the institution will be from within the overall budgetary allocation made to the state under DAY-NRLM. MoRD is expected to give administrative approval allowing RGAVP (Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad) to utilize allocation available with RGAVP under NRLM for the purpose of establishing the institution,” said the ministry’s statement.“This being the first proposal of its kind submitted as per the recommendations of the Expert Group, the ministry is examining the proposal from the government of Rajasthan, and further necessary action will be taken as per the laid down procedure,” it added. To suggest measures for increasing the credit flow to women SHGs, the ministry of rural development formed an Expert Group in June 2018 under the chairmanship of Girish Chandra Chaturvedi, former secretary to the government of India, the ministry said.