Flag -off program of the Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) was held on 8th September, 2020 at the Directorate of Rural Development, Kohima, where Minister Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir graced as the Special Guest.
Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) launched in August 2017, is a sub - scheme implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to facilitate transport facilities in the rural areas and also to provide job opportunities to members of Self Help Group(SHGs) under DAY-NRLM.
The objectives of AGEY is to provide an alternative source of livelihoods to members of SHGs under NRLM by facilitating them to operate public transport. To provide safe, affordable and community monitored transport services to connect villages for the overall economic development of the area by making use of the supports available within the framework of NRLM.
Under the programme, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) provided to community Based Organisation (CBOs) under NRLM will be utilized to support the SGH members to operate the vehicles. Also provide interest free loan from its CIF corpus to SHG members for the purchase of the vehicles. The maximum period to repay loan is 6 years and bear all the costs connected with operations of the vehicle.
The Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission which is the implementing agency for DAY-NRLM in the State finally launching this scheme will greatly ease the burden of transportation, especially of SHG products and produce, while also providing earning opportunity for the rural poor. Under NSRLM, AGEY will be implemented in 29 blocks across 9 districts covering 30 villages. Further, 30 beneficiaries from 30 SHGs have been given interest free loan by the CBOs under this scheme. The scheme is closed but once the principal is repaid to the CBOs, the same amount can be used to fund other beneficiaries for purchase of Vehicles. (For further details link are available on aajeevika.gov.in)
(Tovikali, IA)