New policy aims to boost rural women’s entrepreneurship, strengthen dairy sector and enhance village economy
Yamunanagar | Rama Kaushik
In a significant initiative to promote women-led rural entrepreneurship, the Haryana Government has introduced new guidelines allowing registered Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM) to lease Panchayat-owned Shamlat Deh land for dairy farming.
Announcing the decision, District Council CEO and District Mission Director Sushil Kumar said the scheme has been launched by the Development and Panchayats Department to generate sustainable livelihoods for rural women while encouraging dairy-based economic activities across villages.
Under the new policy, Deputy Commissioners will be authorised to permit Gram Panchayats to lease up to 500 square yards of Shamlat land to eligible SHGs for an initial period of two years. If the dairy project is found satisfactory by HSRLM authorities, the lease can be extended for an additional three years.
Sushil Kumar said the initiative is designed to make rural women financially independent, create employment opportunities and ensure productive utilisation of Panchayat land.
To qualify for the scheme, an SHG must have been functioning actively for at least one year with regular savings and loan transactions. All members must belong to the same Gram Panchayat, and the group should consist of at least 10 members. Attendance at group meetings must be at least 75 per cent, and neither the group nor its members should have any pending loan defaults or disputes with banks or government agencies.
The guidelines further specify that SHGs will not be eligible if any member or their family owns 500 square yards or more of land, as reflected in the Family Identity Card (PPP) records.
Interested SHGs can submit applications directly to the Gram Panchayat or through the District Council or Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO). Where multiple applications are received from the same village, the eligible beneficiary will be selected through a transparent lottery conducted by the Village-Level Committee.
Officials believe the policy will strengthen women’s economic participation, promote dairy entrepreneurship and contribute to the overall development of rural Haryana.
Rural participation surges as Panchayats mobilise youth and families ahead of July 26 campaign
Public participation in Yamunanagar’s upcoming Anti-Drug Awareness Marathon has crossed a major milestone, with 81,003 registrations recorded ahead of the July 26 event, reflecting overwhelming public support for Haryana’s campaign against substance abuse.
According to District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) Narendra Singh, the marathon, to be held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has witnessed enthusiastic participation from both urban and rural areas.
Following directions from Deputy Commissioner Preeti, Gram Panchayats across the district have launched extensive awareness drives to encourage residents to join the campaign. Village secretaries and Panchayat Department employees have been visiting households to register participants and spread awareness about the importance of building a drug-free society.
Narendra Singh said Panchayat representatives, including Sarpanches and Panches, are actively supporting the campaign by motivating villagers to participate in the event.
More than 25,000 registrations have been received from Gram Panchayats alone, while several villages are preparing to travel collectively to the marathon venue.
The district has so far registered 54,450 male participants and 26,486 female participants, taking the overall registration figure to 81,003.
Officials said the campaign aims to transform the marathon into a mass social movement against drug addiction by ensuring participation from every section of society.
