TAWANG, Jul 29: A District Steering Committee Meeting of the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) was held at the DC’s office conference hall here today, with Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo chairing the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the DC stressed that similar coordination meetings should also be organised at the block level with active participation of PRI members to ensure wider outreach and effective implementation. She assured the administration’s full support for resolving issues that require intervention from the District Administration or Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Emphasizing that livelihood activities should focus on sectors with greater potential and sustainability, the DC observed that while establishing successful enterprises requires time, every investment of time, effort, and resources by SHG members must eventually translate into tangible outcomes. Encouraging the members to remain patient and consistent, she stated that perseverance, hard work, calculated risk-taking, and continuous efforts are the keys to building successful enterprises.
The DC further directed all concerned departments to organise extensive awareness campaigns across all blocks in the coming month on various Atma Nirbhar schemes so that eligible villagers and SHGs are fully informed about the available opportunities.
While urging SHG members to participate actively in these awareness programmes, she reiterated that beneficiary selection under all government schemes must remain transparent, fair, and focused on deserving groups.
The ZPMs, while assuring the Mission of their full support, urged ArSRLM officials to actively involve PR representatives in all initiatives to ensure that deserving beneficiaries are identified transparently. They also suggested promoting locally viable livelihood activities such as cultivation and marketing of Sichuan pepper, traditional Monpa attire, organic vegetable farming, and other region-specific enterprises with strong market potential.
Representing the SHGs, Nawang Chonzom, Khandro Drowa Zangmo SHG president, requested that SHG members be given due preference while selecting beneficiaries under various Atma Nirbhar schemes, including ANBY, ANPY, and ANKY.
Earlier, welcoming the participants, District Mission Manager ArSRLM (Bomdila), Toko Lej gave a comprehensive presentation on the implementation of ArSRLM across Tawang district. He highlighted the Mission’s efforts in strengthening Self Help Groups, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and achieving the vision of creating Lakhpati Didis through financial inclusion, skill development, and enterprise support.
He pointed out that market linkage, branding, infrastructure, and value addition remain key challenges for SHGs in competing with larger commercial enterprises. Stressing the importance of regular monitoring and stakeholder participation, he sought active cooperation from PR members and line departments to overcome existing bottlenecks.
The meeting, also attended by ZPC Leki Gombu, and ZPMs Sonam Nordzin (Tawang), Tenzin Monpa (Kyidphel), and Pema Tsering (Mogto-Bongkhar), concluded with a collective commitment from the District Administration, PRI members, line departments, and ArSRLM officials to strengthen convergence, improve market access, and empower rural women through sustainable livelihood opportunities across Tawang district. (DIPRO)