Meghalaya’s Chief Minister informed the Assembly that the state’s Self-Help Group (SHG) movement has significantly expanded in the last seven years. The number of SHGs in Meghalaya has grown from 4,000–5,000 groups to around 53,000 presently, covering nearly 90% of households. These groups have mobilized about Rs 1,100 crore in credit, particularly benefiting women-led livelihoods in rural and semi-urban areas.
The SHGs in Meghalaya are formed voluntarily with a minimum of 10 to 15 women per group and do not require formal registration. The Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) plays a crucial role in facilitating bank linkages for these groups. Banks have disbursed Rs 755 crore to SHGs, with over 40,800 groups consistently repaying their loans on time, reflecting the financial discipline within the SHG system.
Meghalaya’s Chief Minister highlighted the remarkable growth in SHG membership, which has increased from around 40,000 women to nearly 5.8 lakh today. He praised the financial sustainability of SHGs, with almost 95% of loans being repaid punctually. Efforts are being made to enhance participation in urban areas like Mawlai, where SHG formation has been relatively lower compared to rural regions.
