In a major step toward women’s empowerment and livelihood enhancement in Odisha, the Mission Shakti Department has launched a two-day state-level skill development training programme for Community Support Staff (CSS). The initiative aims to strengthen women-led enterprises, boost income generation, and support grassroots development.
A total of 62,341 Community Support Staff across the state will receive this training. The first batch, launched today at Mission Shakti Bhawan, includes 150 participants from Puri, Ganjam, and Keonjhar districts. The programme will gradually be expanded to all districts of Odisha.
Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida attended the inaugural session and interacted with women participants from the three districts.
Strengthening SHG Activities at the Grassroots
Community Support Staff play a vital role in managing Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the grassroots level. They support SHG members with business guidance, bookkeeping, market linkages, and financial education. Their efforts have helped many women entrepreneurs improve their income and build sustainable livelihoods.
The new training programme will equip CSS with advanced skills to assist women entrepreneurs in expanding their market-based livelihood activities. The Mission Shakti Department aims to ensure that every household has at least one successful woman entrepreneur—popularly known as a “Lakhpati Didi.”
Comprehensive Skill Enhancement for Women Entrepreneurs
Through this training, CSS will gain knowledge on enterprise management, business planning, bookkeeping, market communication, and digital record-keeping. The sessions also aim to strengthen monitoring and reporting processes, enabling CSS to support SHGs and their federations more effectively.
The programme’s core objectives include:
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Enhancing the daily operational skills of Community Support Staff
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Supporting the creation of successful women entrepreneurs
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Providing proper guidance for sustainable livelihood opportunities
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Strengthening digital documentation and reporting
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Improving business management and market linkage strategies
Senior officials from the Mission Shakti Department, Odisha Livelihoods Mission, and representatives from various banks attended the programme.
This initiative is expected to empower thousands of CSS workers across the state, enabling them to transform women from their communities into “Lakhpati Didi” and “Maha Lakhpati Didi” status through SHG-led enterprises.
