The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is a flagship program of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It aims to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of rural households by promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship. NRLM was renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in 2015, in honour of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
Features of National Rural Livelihoods Mission:
- Universal Social Mobilization: NRLM focuses on universal social mobilization to organize the rural poor into self-help groups (SHGs). These groups are considered as foundational units for poverty alleviation programs.
- Financial Inclusion: The program aims to enhance financial inclusion by promoting access to credit for rural households. It facilitates the creation of community-based institutions to ensure that financial resources are made available to the poor.
- Livelihoods Promotion: NRLM works towards strengthening livelihoods by promoting a mix of farm and non-farm activities. It emphasizes skill development, market linkages, and access to technology to enhance productivity.
- Convergence and Community Institutions: NRLM promotes convergence with other government programs and encourages the development of community institutions. These institutions, such as SHGs and their federations, play a crucial role in planning, implementing, and monitoring various programs.
- Empowerment and Capacity Building: The mission focuses on building the capacities of the poor, particularly women, to enable them to take charge of their own development. Training and capacity-building activities are integral components of NRLM.
- Social Inclusion: NRLM is designed to address social inclusion by ensuring that the benefits of development reach marginalized and vulnerable communities. Special emphasis is placed on the empowerment of women and socially disadvantaged groups.
Objectives of NRLM/DAY-NRLM:
- Poverty Alleviation: The primary objective is to alleviate poverty by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the rural poor.
- Empowerment of Women: NRLM aims to empower women by promoting their participation in decision-making processes, economic activities, and community development.
- Social Inclusion: The program seeks to ensure that the benefits of development reach all sections of society, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups.
- Financial Inclusion: NRLM aims to improve the financial inclusion of rural households by providing access to credit and financial services.
- Sustainable Livelihoods: The mission focuses on promoting livelihoods that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable.
Please note that there may have been updates or changes to the NRLM/DAY-NRLM since my last knowledge update in January 2022. It’s advisable to check the latest government sources or official documents for the most current information.