The Union Ministry of Rural Development will launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY), a sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). AGEY aims to provide an alternative source of livelihood to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) by facilitating them to operate public transport services in backward rural areas.
Key Features of AGEY
AGENCY will provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services like e-rickshaws, 3 and 4 wheeler motorised transport vehicles to connect remote villages. These transport vehicles will connect villages with key services and amenities including access to markets, education and health for the overall economic development of the area.
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The scheme will be implemented in 250 blocks in the country on a pilot basis for a period of 3 years from 2017-18 to 2019-20. Under it, the Community Based Organisation (CBO) is proposed to provide interest-free loan from its own corpus to SHG member for purchase of the vehicle.
About DAY-NRLM
DAY-NRLM is a poverty alleviation scheme implemented by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. It was launched as NRLM in 2011 but was succeeded by Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana in 2016. The scheme aims at promoting self-employment and organization of the rural poor. The basic idea behind this programme is to organize the poor into SHG (Self Help Groups) groups and make them capable of self-employment.
It has a special focus on women empowerment including a dedicated component for promoting farm and non-farm based livelihoods for women farmers in rural areas. The scheme helps rural poor to set up self-employment ventures by ensuring easy access to credit. It is implemented across the country in all States and Union Territories (except Delhi and Chandigarh). It is one of the world’s largest initiatives to improve the livelihood of the poor. It is supported by the World Bank.
