Uttar Pradesh: SHGs clock Rs 8 crore by selling masks, PPE kits, sanitizer

LUCKNOW: While lockdown hit economic activities across the country, cash registers were ringing for women self-help groups (SHGs) of rural development department which earned around Rs 8 crore just through the sale of face masks, PPE kits and sanitizers in last two months.
SHGs also earned another Rs 7 crore through the sale of nearly 28 lakh solar study lamps for students.
According to latest data of the department, around 14,000 members of SHGs manufactured at least 62 lakh face masks, while another 571 members made around 36,300 personal protection equipment (PPE) kits in April and May.
PPE kits were marketed in various government departments including health and panchayati raj department. Likewise, 384 SHGs manufactured 9,634 litres of sanitizers for being sold at local level.
Data show that SHGs are also being engaged in distribution of face masks among public distribution system (PDS) shop operators. Till date, over 80,000 face masks have been sold to PDS shops operators in various parts of the state. At least 1,654 members of SHGs ran 792 community kitchens to distribute around 29,000 food packets among the needy.
Officials in the state rural livelihood mission (SRLM) said members of SHGs were also engaged in distribution of food grain amongst the poor.
SRLM was also roped in by the state government in skill mapping of migrants who returned to UP in view of lockdown. Data show that until May-end, SRLM had skill-mapped over 3.5 lakh migrants who were subsequently adjusted in SHGs engaged in different works.
The government had also roped in rural development department to help start-up village entrepreneurs. Till date, 5,221 small scale industries have benefitted from the move.
Constituted under SRLM, SHGs also managed to stitch 40 lakh school uniforms for supply to students ahead of new academic session. Officials said the department was also imparting self-employment training to members of over 42,000 SHGs.
The department has so far employed more than 8 lakh people in different activities through constitution of SHGs.
SHGs are engaged in as many as 68 activities like poultry, dairy and animal husbandry, production of food grain, vegetables, mushroom, pepper mint and honey, and manufacturing of face masks, incense sticks and artificial jewellery.
Maximum engagement is in food grain production where nearly 1.93 lakh people are working. This is followed by animal husbandry and cattle management which provides employment to 1.62 lakh people.