News

Kudumbashree State Level Review Meeting held under the leadership of LSGD Minister M V Govindan Master

State Level Review Meeting under the leadership of Kudumbashree State Mission was held at Kudumbashree State Mission office, Thiruvananthapuram on 12 November 2021. The meeting was held under the leadership of Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Rural Development and Excise, Government of Kerala and he shared his valuable insights at the meeting. The Minister said that Kudumbashree would attain new pace and aims once the Auxiliary Groups start functioning. Young women would get the opportunity to actively involve in the social issues such as domestic violence in the name of dowry, suicide, drug addiction etc and thereby work for the development of the society, added the minister.

Kudumbashree should turn into a centre of power, that would productively involve in the issues that the women fraternity are facing now and in fighting back the same as well. He also suggested that various campaigns should be formulated joining with Women's Commission, Jagratha Samithi, Vimukthi etc. He also said that Kudumbashree members should be able to give leadership to the survey to identify the extreme poor in the state.

The project to give employment to 5 people each in every Local Self Government Institutions so as to find a solution for the unemployment issue of the youth in the state, is effectively progressing and is being implemented in the state. He also added that, K DISC (Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council) would converge with the Local Self Government Department and would formulate projects to arrange employment to maximum number of young women within five years under the leadership of Kudumbashree.

He also reviewed the activities implemented in the districts through Kudumbashree during the period of covid-19 pandemic, Subhiksha Keralam Project, Auxiliary Group Formation, Three Tier Organizational System and Election, Local Financial Development, various projects being implemented in agriculture, farming, animal husbandry and micro enterprise sectors, micro finance, social development, women empowerment activities and skill training, PMAY, National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) etc being implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree and their progress as well. The respective District Mission Coordinators explained the various activities being implemented by Kudumbashree in the districts.

Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department also reviewed the programmes. Smt. P. I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Kudumbashree Programme Managers, District Mission Coordinators, Assistant District Mission Coordinators and State Programme Managers also attended the review meeting.

Content highlight

Kudumbashree State Level Review Meeting held under the leadership of LSGD Minister M V Govindan Master

PMAY(U)-LIFE Project ensuring women's participation and women empowerment

The ownership of the houses which are built through PMAY(U)-LIFE Project being implemented through Kudumbashree in Kerala is given to women as part of ensuring women's participation, in addition to providing safe and secure homes. Out of the 1,11,835 approved beneficiaries 87,753 of them are women. Under certain circumstances, when it is unable to give the ownership in the name of the women, the ownership would be given jointly in the name of man and woman or in the name of the man. As of now, construction of 70,463 houses have been completed. By giving the ownership of the completed houses, Kudumbashree is making a notable intervention in women empowerment. Through the 31 Women Construction Units functioning in the urban areas, under the leadership of Kudumbashree, construction of 52 houses which is included in the programme has been completed.

In addition to providing the houses to the beneficiaries, the project ensures a better lifestyle for them as well. As part of this, with the convergence with Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, gas connection was provided to 7490 families at subsidy rates and LED lights were provided to 17603 families free of cost. In addition, by converging with Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme, each beneficiary was given 90 additional work days and additional financial assistance of Rs 26,190 was also provided to them. Financial assistance of Rs 70 crores was provided to them in this manner. 95 % of the project beneficiaries are Kudumbashree members. The efforts to make the remaining 5% as Kudumbashree members is progressing.

Content highlight

PMAY(U)-LIFE Project ensuring women's participation and women empowerment

Kakkolla Pareeksha', the second phase of 'Kunju Pareeksha' to give awareness to Balasabha members on Covid-19 conducted

Kakkolla Pareeksha', the second phase of 'Kunju Pareeksha' to give awareness about Covid-19 pandemic to Balasabha members in the state functioning under Kudumbashree was conducted on 30 October 2021. A total of 26,054 students from across the state had participated in the examination. The exam is being conducted to take the message of countering the Covid-19 pandemic to students and equip them to analyze whether the Covid protocol is maintained in their own houses.

Kunju Pareeksha is being conducted in online mode in four phases viz., Model Exam, 'Kakkolla Pareeksha' (Quarterly Exam), 'Arakkolla Pareeksha' (Half yearly Exam), and 'Kolla Pareeksha' (Annual Exam). The Model Exam which was conducted on 10 June 2021 as the first phase was also wholeheartedly welcomed by the Balasabha members. The link to participate in the exam was given to the Balasabha members in every district through the respective Kudumbashree CDSs and ADSs. There were 25 questions regarding the prevention of covid-19 pandemic. The students participated in the exams during the time between 10.30 AM and 10.30 PM. Kudumbashree expects that the students would be able to get a clear awareness on how to prevent covid-19 pandemic once all the four exams would be completed. The date of the other exams would be notified later.

The participation of the Balasabha members was ensured in the examination through the Balasabha Resource Persons, Block Coordinators, CDS Chairpersons and ADS members. The State- District Mission had supervised the activities. 'Kunju Pareeksha' (A Small, Simple Exam), the awareness programme is the continuation of the efforts being taken by Kudumbashree to take the awareness lessons about the Covid-19 pandemic to everyone in the society through children.

Content highlight

Kakkolla Pareeksha', the second phase of 'Kunju Pareeksha' to give awareness to Balasabha members on Covid-19 conductedwn

Kakkolla Pareeksha', the second phase of 'Kunju Pareeksha' to give awareness to Balasabha members on Covid-19 to be held on 30 October 2021

Kakkolla Pareeksha', the second phase of 'Kunju Pareeksha' to give awareness about covid-19 pandemic to the four and a half lakh Balasabha members of 32,627 Balasabhas in the state functioning under Kudumbashree is proposed to be held on 30 October 2021. The exam is being conducted to take the message of countering the covid-19 pandemic to students and equip them to analyze whether the covid protocol is maintained in their own houses.

Kunju Pareeksha is conducted in online mode in four phases viz., Model Exam, 'Kakkolla Pareeksha' (Quarterly Exam), 'Arakkolla Pareeksha' (Half yearly Exam), and 'Kolla Pareeksha' (Annual Exam). The Model Exam which was conducted on 10 June 2021 as the first phase was wholeheartedly welcomed by the Balasabha members. The link to participate in the exam would be given to the Balasabha members in every district through the respective Kudumbashree CDSs and ADSs. There would be 25 questions regarding the prevention of covid-19 pandemic. The students may participate in the exams during any time between 10.30 AM and 10.30 PM. Kudumbashree hope that the students would be able to get a clear awareness on how to prevent covid-19 pandemic once they would complete all the four exams. The date of the other exams would be notified later.

The participation of the Balasabha members is ensured in the examination through the Balasabha Resource Persons, Block Coordinators, CDS Chairpersons and ADS members. The State- District Mission would supervise the activities. 'Kunju Pareeksha' (A Small, Simple Exam), the Awareness Programme is the continuation of the efforts being taken by Kudumbashree to take the awareness lessons about the covid-19 pandemic to everyone in the society through children.

Content highlight

Kakkolla Pareeksha', the second phase of 'Kunju Pareeksha' to give awareness to Balasabha members on Covid-19 to be held on 30 October 2021ml

'Kerala Chicken' a big hit among the public: Sales of Rs 50.20 crores recorded

'Kerala Chicken', the project conceptualized and launched by the Government of Kerala to ensure the market of good quality chicken at affordable rates all across the state is being a hit among the public. Kudumbashree was able to make a sales of Rs 50.20 crores until now through this project which was started during November 2017. Sales of around Rs 20 lakhs are recorded per day. More than 25 lakh chickens have already been sold out. The project is jointly being implemented by Kudumbashree and the Animal Husbandry Department.

The project is supervised by the Animal Husbandry Department. Kudumbashree implements two activities, viz., taking chicken to the market through integration farming and launching & running the processing units. Kudumbashree Broiler Farmers Producers Company Limited (KBFPCL) has been started for the same. In the initial phase, Kudumbashree did the activity of starting the farms and bringing the broiler chicken from these farms to the market. Later, from June 2020, onwards, specially branded, exclusive marketing outlets of Kerala Chicken were also started. Through these outlets, Broiler Chicken was made available in the brand, 'Kerala Chicken'.

As of now, 248 farms and 82 marketing outlets are functioning as part of the Kerala Chicken project, which is being implemented through Kudumbashree. The farms and marketing outlets are functioning in 6 districts viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode. The matured broiler chicken is directly taken from the farms to the marketing outlets. Livelihood opportunities were opened for 330 families through these farms and marketing outlets. In the second phase, these activities would be extended to4 more districts viz., Palakkad, Malappuram, Kannur and Alappuzha. We are also making efforts to extend Kudumbashree's Kerala Chicken Project to the remaining 4 districts as well.

Content highlight

'Kerala Chicken' a big hit among the public: Sales of Rs 50.20 crores recordeden

State Level Inauguration of the Seed Capital Financial Assistance Scheme held

The State Level Inauguration of the Seed Capital Financial Assistance Scheme was held. Shri. P. Rajeev, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala inaugurated the function at Hotel Avenue Regent, Ernakulam on 18 October 2021. The Seed Capital Financial Assistance is given as part of the PMFME (PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme-Project for forming food processing enterprises) for extending support to the enterprises functioning in the food processing sector.

The project is formulated by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and is being implemented in Kerala through the Industries Department, Government of Kerala. Approval was received to give Rs 4,30,51,096 to 1440 Kudumbashree entrepreneurs from 14 districts across the state. Ms. S. Renjini, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission and Kudumbashree entrepreneurs jointly received the amount from the Minister during the function.

The financial assistance is given as interest free loans to the entrepreneurs through the respective CDSs. As per the project, the individual-group enterprises in the food processing sector would get assistance for 4 main factors such as Seed Fund, Credit Linked Capital Grant, Public Basic Amenities, Branding-Marketing.

Shri. M.G Rajamanickam IAS, MD, KSIDC welcomed the gathering. Dr. K Ellangovan IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Kerala delivered the presidential address. Shri. Biju P. Abraham, General Manager, Ernakulam District Industries Centre extended vote of thanks. After the Inaugural function, classes were given to the entrepreneurs on value addition.

Content highlight

State Level Inauguration of the Seed Capital Financial Assistance Scheme held

'Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition Season 4- Winners announced

The results of 'Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition Season 4 has been announced. Shri. Suresh Cameo, Thekkumbatt House, Thekkankuroor, Malappuram bagged the first prize. Shri. Alfred M.K, Muringathery House, Erumapetty, Thrissur came second and Shri. Madhu Edachana, Kulangara House, Ozhakkodi, Wayanad came in third place. The Award for the Best Photographer is Rs 25,000. The second prize and third prize are Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. The jury consisted of Shri. R. Gopalakrishnan, Senior Cinema Still Photographer, Shri. V. Vinod, Chief Photographer, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala, Smt. Chandralekha C.S, Documentary Filmmaker & Photographer and Smt. Asha Vargheese, Director, Kudumbashree selected the winners.

Kudumbashree organized the Season 4 of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ Photography Competition for motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs. The contestants were directed to submit photographs that reflect the priority projects of Kudumbashree Mission. Rs 2000 each will be issued for 10 entries as consolation prizes. Shri. Deepesh Puthiyapurayil, Shri. K.B Vijayan, Shri. Sarath Chandran, Shri. Pramod K, Shri. Abhilash G, Shri. Baiju C.J, Shri. Dinesh K, Shri. Jubel Joseph Jude, Shri. Shiju Vani and Shri Ijaz Punalur are the Consolation Prize winners.

The Photography Competition is organized realising that the best photographs depicting the hard work of Kudumbashree members would further boost the women empowerment process. The fourth season of the competition was held from 22 July 2021 to 15 September 2021. Good quality photographs portraying the strength of Kudumbashree, functioning focusing on women empowerment is considered for the ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition, which is being conducted from 2017 onwards. Like the first three seasons, the fourth season has also received good responses.

The first season of ‘Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram’ was conducted during November- December 2017, the second season during February- March 2019 and the third season was held during January- February 2020. The three seasons of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition had resulted in a huge success. Good quality photographs portraying the strength of Kudumbashree, functioning focusing on women empowerment is considered for the ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition. Kudumbashree Mission which envisions eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 23 revolutionary years.

Content highlight

Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition Season 4- Winners announceden

Kudumbashree Agri Nutri Garden to 10 lakh households in the state: Project officially launched

Kudumbashree Agri Nutri Garden project was officially launched. Shri. I.B Satheesh, MLA, Kattakkada constituency officially inaugurated the programme at Maranalloor Grama Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram on 3 October 2021. Adv. D. Suresh, President, District Panchayath presided over the function. Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project in detail. The promotion video of the project was also launched at the function. The Agri Nutri Garden project aims at setting up organic nutritional gardens at households across the state, make available nutritious vegetables and fruits, prepare them to become self-sufficient in vegetables and thereby create a healthy society. Ten lakh beneficiaries would be identified for the programme. Suitable vegetables and fruits would be cultivated in their houses as per the local agricultural climate.

It was decided to arrange nutrition gardens in all houses during 2021-22 as part of the farm livelihood programme being implemented through Kudumbashree in the state. The nutrition gardens are set up in all wards as per this. The nutri gardens would cultivate any five of the nutrition rich agricultural products viz., tomato, bitter gourd, spinach, pumpkin, coriander, mint, lady's finger, brinjal cucumber and two types of fruit trees. Every beneficiary should do organic farming in a minimum of three cents of land. The project would be implemented in the Grama Panchayats. For that, 50 families would be identified in every ward and a cluster would be formed. Every cluster would have a President, Secretary, Vice President and Joint Secretary.

Kudumbashree would give the seeds for the cultivation and training. Training would be extended on ploughing the field, sowing the seed, manuring and on taking care of the crops under the leadership of JEVA and Master trainers. Cluster level meetings would be held every month and the development of the project. Organizing & Monitoring Committees would be formed at the Panchayath level by including the elected representatives. After the share-out of agricultural products to the households, the rest would be marketed through the marketing outlets such as Kudumbashree Nattuchantha and Krishi Bhavan. The interventions for the same would be implemented at the CDS level. The campaign activities as part of the project are progressing across the state.

Shri. A. Suresh Kumar, President, Maranalloor Grama Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram welcomed the gathering. Shri. I. B Satheesh MLA Kattakada constituency gave away the prizes to the winners of the Poster Designing Programme organized in connection with the publicity of Agri Nutri Garden programme for Kudumbashree Balasabha members. Adv. Preeja S.K, Smt. Santha Prabhakaran, Smt. Deena Kumari K.S, Shri. A R Sudheer Khan, Smt. Premavalli S, Shri. Anto V, Shri. Sabu Sajayan P S, Smt. Sheeba Mol V.V, Smt. Indulekha V.A, Shri Manoj B.S and Smt. Santhakumari gave away the felicitations. Dr. K. R Shaiju, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission Coordinator extended vote of thanks.

Content highlight

Kudumbashree Agri Nutri Garden to 10 lakh households in the state: Project officially launcheden

Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Formation officially started

Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Formation has been officially started. Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Rural Development, Excise, Government of Kerala officially inaugurated the Auxiliary Group formation activities during the function held at Samadarshini Library of Kalippankulam ward of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on 2 October 2021, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. Three Auxiliary Groups viz., 'Navagadha' at Kalippankulan ward under CDS-3, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, 'Manasa' at Kaladi ward, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, 'Sangamam' at Puthuppally ward under CDS-4, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation were formed.

Auxiliary Groups, the new gen system of Kudumbashree is being formed with the aim of creating a new space for the social, cultural, livelihood upliftment of young women. Kudumbashree, the Poverty Eradication Mission of Kerala which has more than 45 lakh members is also an important implementing agency that implements various projects and programmes of Central- State Governments. Auxiliary Groups are being formed aiming at including more young women to the Kudumbashree fraternity, bring them to the mainstream of the society and to give them awareness about social, financial, women empowerment topics. Kudumbashree also aims at introducing them to new job opportunities, help them find livelihood, arrange a space for them to discuss social issues along with increasing their efficiency and intervening skills, thereby strengthening social development.

It is envisaged to create an avenue to introduce the activities of various agencies that function for the welfare and development of the youth such as Youth Commission, Youth Welfare Board etc and to achieve good results. It also aims at creating awareness about the various livelihood projects implemented by Central- State Governments, Cooperative Department etc and thereby create opportunities to make sustainable livelihood possible.

Every CDS would form Women Auxiliary Groups at all wards in their limits. Women between 18 and 40 years of age can take the membership in the groups. More than one member from a family can take membership (between the age of 18 & 40). It is planned to form 20,000 groups. The maximum number of members that can be included in a single group is 50. If more than 50 women come forward in a ward, more groups could be formed. The groups could be registered at the District Missions with the recommendation of the respective CDSs.

Shri. S Salim, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation presided over the function. Shri. Sajulal D, Ward Councillor, Kalippankulam ward, Smt. Anu R.S Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Smt. Shyna. A, CDS Chairperson was also present at the function. Dr. K.R Shaiju, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thirvananthapuram District Mission extended vote of thanks.

Content highlight

Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Formation officially started

Auxiliary Groups Formation: LSGD Minister makes online interaction with the concerned

Shri. M. V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Rural Development & Excise, Government of Kerala made online interactions with the elected representatives, mission officials, office bearers of Kudumbashree three tier community system and Kudumbashree Resource Persons regarding the formation of the Auxiliary Groups on 30 September 2021. The Auxiliary Groups would turn out to be a greater social movement in the state, the minister said. The Auxiliary Groups would be formed at all wards across the state from 2 October 2021.

Unemployment is high in Kerala compared to other states. The unemployed women also include those who are highly educated. Auxiliary Groups aim at helping young women enter into the appropriate job sectors after understanding the resource opportunities of the agricultural, industrial, service sectors at the local level. In addition, skill development training and entrepreneurship development training would be extended aiming at the local economic development and thereby the system that includes the younger generation would be strengthened. This would be in convergence with the various departments and skill training centres, the minister said. He also added that the Auxiliary Groups would be turned into a strong local system that would prevent domestic violence, dowry, alcoholism and drug addiction associating with the Jagrutha Samithi that functions at the Panchayath level, under the leadership of Kerala Women's Commission. On attaining association, the concept of Auxiliary Group would turn out to be strong and move forward solving the issues of the patriarchal society. He added.

The project envisages to ensure the representation of young women in Kudumbashree system & their social, cultural & livelihood upliftment.The formation of Auxiliary Neighbourhood Groups aims at overcoming such limitations and make the youth a part of Kudumbashree fraternity and thereby bring them to the mainstream of the society and give awareness about social economic and women empowerment topics. Auxiliary Groups would arrange an avenue for working, finding livelihood and discussing social issues. This would help in increasing the efficiency and intervening skills of women and thereby strengthen social growth.

Smt. P. I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri. Salim, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Smt. K.M Usha, President, Grama Panchayath President Association and Dr Joy Elamon, Director, KILA gave away their felicitations. Smt. Anu R S, Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Content highlight

Auxiliary Groups Formation: LSGD Minister makes online interaction with the concerned