Harmonious Community Relations

Sustainable Livelihoods for Women

630 SHGs were operational during 2005-06 with a total membership of 10,610 women and a total thrift of Rs 34.70 lakhs. During the period, 687 women set up their own self-employment units and another 1,255 were gainfully employed in micro-enterprises, taking the cumulative total to 2,154 and 1,865, respectively.

Agarbatti production continued to be the major income generation option for the women. Over 607 women are directly involved in the production of raw battis supplying 35.94 Mt of raw agarbattis to converters at an average of about 3 MTs per month. In addition to agarbattis, chunari-making has emerged as an important micro-enterprise in Saharanpur. Chikankari enterprise in Hardoi also witnessed an expansion during this period. Two new Chikan groups have already started getting regular work. In addition, a Silaishala (tailoring training centre) was started in Hardoi with the objective of promoting stitching as a micro-enterprise linked with the business cycle of Chikankari. The Chikan cooperative clocked a turnover of Rs 5 lakhs during the year.