Shillong: The Self Help Groups (SHG) membership In Meghalaya has risen from 40,000 women eight years ago to 5.8 lakh now, with credit flows up from under Rs 100 crore to today’s levels, reflecting the rapid expansion of Meghalaya’s self-help group movement.
The number of SHGs in the state has grown from around 4,000–5,000 in 2018–19 to about 53,000 at present, covering nearly 90 per cent of households and mobilising close to Rs 1,100 crore in credit.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma told the Assembly that SHGs can be formed by 10 to 15 women without any formal registration, with bank linkages facilitated by the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society.
Group members can access loans without collateral at an interest rate of around 7 per cent.
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He said banks have disbursed about Rs 755 crore to SHGs so far, with over 40,888 groups regularly servicing their repayments and nearly 95 per cent of loans being repaid on time.
In total, around Rs 1,100 crore is currently available to women’s groups across the state.
Sangma noted that SHG formation is voluntary and participation varies between rural and urban areas, with stronger response in rural pockets.
The government, he said, is continuing efforts to expand coverage and reach every household.
On livelihoods, he added that 41,323 SHG members have already become “lakhpatis,” and the state is now working to help them progress towards higher income levels.
