As part of collecting suggestions from the public in connection with the Nava Kerala, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon. Chief Minister, Government of Kerala had interacted with Kudumbashree members on 17 January 2021. CDS Chairpersons, representing 14 districts had interacted with the Chief Minister. When the note regarding such a meeting was received, ideas were sought from all the CDS Chairpersons from the 14 districts. One CDS Chairperson each from every district was entrusted for representing their districts. Those chairpersons interacted with the Chief Minister, representing all the Kudumbashree members in their districts. The interactive meeting, which was started at 3.45 PM lasted till 6 PM.

Ms Prasanna Kumari (Kottukal-Thiruvananthapuram), Ms Rajani Manoj (Kalluvathukal-Kollam), Ms Sreeja Aji (Vallikkode-Pathanamthitta), Ms Reena Santhosh (Ambalapuzha-Alappuzha), Ms Sreeja Santhosh (Kidangoor-Kottayam), Ms Asha Santhosh (Manakkad-Idukki), Ms Vishalam Babu (Vadavukode Puthencruz- Ernakulam), MsRamla Anwar (Puthenchira-Thrissur), Ms K. Ushakumari (Polpully-Palakkad) Ms Bindu Babu (Poothadi-Wayanad), Ms Krishna Jyothi (Poroor-Malappuram), Ms Sajina (Maniyoor-Kozhikode), Ms Rekha. P (Mattannur-Kannur) and Ms Mumtaz (Chambanad-Kasaragod) are the NHG members who intereacted with the Chief Minister and shared their suggestions and ideas.

The needs and ideas shared by the Chairpersons from the 14 districts are given below.

General Suggestions

1. Ensure permanent income of Harithakarmasena members by including their work in MGNREGS Programme.
2. Need permanent programmes in Scheduled Tribes Sector for rehabilitating the nomadic communities.
3. Start Art Training Centres in every panchayath under the leadership of CDSs by making use of the artists who have received Golden Jubilee Fellowship.
4. Ensure regular wages without any gender discrimination in the livelihood sector.
5. Include Gender Sensitisation classes and sex education in School Education Syllabus.
6. Make Vanitha Gramasabha, Bala Gramasabha and Elderly Gramasabha mandatory.
7. For ensuring food security, turn the fallow lands into cultivable lands. For the same, the programmes should be formulated and be implemented by MGNREGS, LSGIs, Agriculture Department and Kudumbashree.
8. The bus stops should be equipped with toilets.
9. Job Portals should be started in Panchayath level to find jobs for those who lost their jobs.
10. The ration card categorization should be reanalyzed.
11. Plastic should be removed from the water bodies to increase the fish abundance.
12. The Pakalveed for the elderly should be ensured in all LSGIs.
13. Drainage System should be ensured in the coastal areas.
14. Start 'Shelter Homes' for ensuring the protection of differently abled children.
15. Make arrangements for emergency help in the tribal sector and take necessary actions to resolve the issue of havocs in farming sector.
16. Special Health checkup centres for women and children in blocks. Block level Gender Parks.
17. Government Order be issued that only if the LSGIs earmark funds for ABC, GRC and Harithakarmasena, the DPC Programme will be approved.
18 The LSGIs should earmark funds for fulfilling the various needs of those who are included in the Destitute Free Kerala Programme. Timely changes should be brought to the criterion.
19. There should be centralised waste management plants in every district.
20. The BPL List should be restructured considering the year 2020 as the base.
21. Nutritious food should also be given to the elderly through the Anganawadis.
22. The women development programmes should be used for livelihood needs.
23. Yoga-Kalari Training centres for Women should be started in block level.
24. Ensure livelihood opportunities for tribal youth in their respective locations, afrer extending them skill training.
25. Special package for Sickle Cell Anemia patients.
26. Actions to get rid of the menace of wild animals.
27. More sources of livelihood should be identified in the tribal sector.
28. The eligible who are not included in the LIFE Programme should be included.
29. Hostel and toilet services for travellers.
30. Waste Management should be included in the syllabus of primary classes.
31. Children should be given training in hand craft from school level.
32. Arrange public grounds, swimming pools and fitness centres in all panchayths that could be used by men and women. Encourage fraternities.
33. Make arrangements for transport under the leadership of the Goverment, where there are transport difficulties.
34. Conserve conventional drinking water resources.
35. Produce Kuttanad branded duck meat.

Suggestions Regarding Kudumbashree

1. Change Anganawadis into the working centre of ADSs. Through this, improve the activities by converging with the Social Justice Department.
2. Launch vegetable procuring, sales outlets under the leadership of CDSs in Horticorp model. Three or four centres in the state should function as procurement-distributing centres.
3. Form Kudumbashree Vanitha Bank.
4. Loans upto Rs 3 lakhs is given interest subsidy. The loan is issued at 4% interest. Increase the limit of this loan to Rs 10 lakhs.
5.Give a small subsidy from the state share in Jeevandeepam Insurance Programme.
6. Make better office system for CDSs.
7. Ensure insurance for Kudumbashree micro enterprises.
8. Start Kudumbashree-Homestay, Tour Guide programmes in the tourism sector.
9. Make interventions for catering the needs of Snehitha Calling Bell Programme beneficiaries excluding the mental support.
10. Special Financial Package for Kudumbashree Micro Enterprises.
11. Permanent buildings for Snehitha Centres.
12. LSGIs should give more importance for Kudumbashree.
13. Marketing opportunities should be arranged for Kudumbashree enterprises in all LSGIs.
14. The functioning of Vigilant Groups should be made more active. Meetups at regular intervals.
15. The buildings under the ownership of the LSGIs and the Government should be given to Kudumbashree units to turn it into marketing outlets for free.
16. Kudumbashree should be given more importance in the implementation of Women Component Plan.
17. Coastal Projects should be implemented through Kudumbashree.
18. Kudumbashree should be given more importance and opportunity for more participation along with other Departments for the development in coastal- tribal sectors.
19. The works of LIFE Programmes should be given to Kudumbashree Construction Groups. Also the printing works of the Government should be given to Kudumbashree printing press units.
20. Ensure Kudumbashree's participation in Palliative Care Sector.
21. Make two members from a house part of an NHG.
21. Give the charge of running the canteens in Governement- Public Sector institutions, comfort stations at LSGIs etc to Kudumbashree units.
22. Include the products of Kudumbashree enterprises in Government food kits.
23. Give the approval to buy the electronic products produced by Kudumbashree units like LED lights, without any tender processes.
24. Give approval for Kudumbashree outlets at Comsumerfed, Maveli Stores and Neethi Stores.
25. Restrict LSGIs from spending the fund for Kudumbashree for other matters.
26. The LSGIs should give Revolving Fund to ADSs and Micro Enterprises.
27. The direction that the appointment of part time sweeper/ temporary appointments at Governmental- Public Sector Institutions should be met from the Kudumbashree members.
28. Support price for Kudumbashree Agricultural products.
29. For taking the Kudumbashree activities to the public, organise 1 hour long programmes in the news channels.
30. Representation of CDS Chairpersons in Kudumbashree Governing Body. Two wheeler arrangement and driving classes for CDS Chairpersons.
31.Market the products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs at the procurement- marketing outlets of Forest Eco Development Committee. Permission to sell the non-timber forest products through Kudumbashree units.
32. Form a state level chain including Kudumbashree-KSRTC for extending courier services for parcel delivery as part of e-commerce services.
33. Allot space for retail outlets for marketing Kudumbashree products and for starting food cafe at the areas under Highway Authority.
34. Ensure maximum women representation in the Planning Commission of LSGIs. Make the inclusion of CDS Chairperson mandatory.
35. The arrangememt to distribute the welfare pensions through Kudumbashree system.
Appreciations to all CDS Chairpersons who came forward to interact with the Chief Minister. We are extending our gratitude to Hon Chief Minister who allotted his time for such am interactive session.

Greater announcements have been made for Kudumbashree in Kerala Government's Budget for the 2021-22 financial year, presented by Dr.T.M Thomas Issac, Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala at Kerala Legislative Assembly on 15 January 2021. This budget could undoubtedly be called as 'Kudumbashree's Own Budget', as that many opportunities have been made available for Kudumbashree in this budget. Altogether, Kudumbashree has the Annual Budget of Rs. 1749 crores. This is indeed a record achievement.

Rs 260 crores is earmarked for Kudumbashree, including Rs 60 crores as Livelihood Package, as the state plan fund in the State Budget. In addition to this, Rs 125 crores is specially allotted for various projects such as Skill Training Programme, Vidyashree Laptop Scheme, Rebuild Kerala, Asraya, Snehitha etc. Rs 300 crores is also alloted as the interest subsidy for the Chief Minister's Helping Hand Loan Scheme and Vidyashree Laptop Scheme. Also, Rs 1064 crores is earmarked for various centrally sponsored programmes being implemented through Kudumbashree. During the budget speech, the Hon Finance Minister had mentioned about ‘Kudumbashree’ about 40 times. Also, Kudumbashree is included either as the Implementing Agency or as the Main Partner in many important projects of the Government of Kerala. This could be considered as the recognition for the project implementation through Kudumbashree..

The details of some key announcements include :

1. Skill training (Rs 5 crores)
2. Expansion of Vidhyashree Laptop Scheme
3. Formation of one lakh farming groups, making agriculture loans available at lower interest rates
4. Collateral free loans for Micro Enterprises under the guarantee of District Missions
5. Support for clusters of enterprises
6. Special scheme for the livelihood of those who get skill training through Kudumbashree and support for ARISE Multi Task teams
7. Janakeeya Hotels, Vegetable Sales Outlets and Home Shops in all LSGIs
8. Chain of Coir and Craft Stores
9. Micro Plans through Kudumbashree to wipe off poverty
10. Wayanad Coffee and Vending Machines and kiosks(Rs 20 crores)
11. Insurance plans by including Kudumbashree
12. Smart Kitchen programme to encourage introduction of needy machines in the household chores for minimizing the workload of women
13. Mapping of Crimes against Women (Rs 20 crores)
14. Rs 7 crores for Snehitha
15. Auxiliary Units to give membership to young women
16. Increase in the honorarium of CDS Chairpersons
17. Travel Allowance for CDS Members
18. BUDS Schools in 250 LSGIs
19. Vayo Clubs (Clubs for elderly) in every ward
20. Additional allotment of Rs 46.87 crores for the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.

There has been notable growth in the plan share of Kudumbashree during the last 5 years. During 2015-16, Rs 75 crores was received. Whereas, during 2016-17, it was Rs 130 crores and during 2017-18 financial year Rs 161 crores was received. During 2018-19 financial year Rs 188 crores was received as plan share. Rs 183.25 crores was given during 2019-20 and Rs 200 crores was given to Kudumbashree during 2020-21 as plan share. Likewise, the plan share for Kudumbashree has increased more than double within the last 6 years and this could be considered a great achievement. Also, the funds for the centrally sponsored programmes such as NULM (National Urban Livelihood Mission), NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission), PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), DDU-GKY (Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana) and SVEP (Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme), which are being implemented through Kudumbashree is also increasing every year.

This could also be considered as the recognition for the excellent project implementation by ‘team Kudumbashree’.

Two of Kudumbashree's Nutrimix units have secured ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Certification. Sanjeevani and JARMS Nutrimix units from Malappuram district are the two units that have secured ISO 22000:2018 certification of ISO in Food Safety Management.

The Sanjeevani unit was started jointly by 10 members under Thazhekode CDS during April 2006. In addition to Amrutham Nurimix powder, they are also producing flours in the name 'Jeevas', Nutrimix Biscuit Cake etc. For improving the sales and for improving quality and competence, the unit tried to get ISI 22000 certification during September 2020 and they got the same. Trade Mark was also registered. Rs 1.32 crores is the annual turnover of the unit. JARMS Group Nutrimix unit was the second Nutrimix unit which got ISO certification. This unit was started under Mancheri Municipality CDS 2 during July 2006. There are 6 members in the unit. They had secured all licenses needed for a production unit. Trade Mark registration has also been done. They aim at selling their products inside and outside India. They also produce products such as Pazhampori Mix, Baji Dhool, Palappam Mix, Matta Puttu Powder, Payasam Mix etc. Rs 1.13 crores is the annual sales of the unit. The members of both the units who took initiative and achieved ISO certification which could be a model for all Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The Malappuram District team and CDS officials have extended the full support to these Nutrimix units.

Kudumbashree enterprises produce ‘Amrutham’ Nutrimix, the Take Home Ration provided through the Anganwadis in Kerala. As of now, 1569 NHG members are earning their livelihood through 241 Nutrimix units. An average of 23,000 metric tonnes of Nutrimix is being produced and distributed through these units (annually). Nutrimix units is one of the best government convergence programmes of Kudumbashree with an average yearly sales of Rs 169 crores. Grading of Nutrimix units was also introduced for ensuring the quality of the Nutrimix units. In addition to grading and system improvement done for fortification, Kudumbashree is implementing various activities for ensuring the quality of the Nutrimix units. Further, for increasing the income of the units, Kudumbashree is also formulating and introducing value addition to produce a variety of product

Three beneficiaries of PMAY (U) scheme from Kerala had bagged National Awards for building good houses using the PMAY (U) funds. Ms. Lekshmi. G, Mudavanmugal, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Ms. Babitha Asharaf, Palayamkottuparambil, Ward 37, Irinjalakuda and Ms. A. R Ragasree, Ward 29, Varkala Municipality are the award winning beneficiaries who achieved the awards by constructing the houses in the best ways possible. The award winning beneficiaries received the award from Mr. Durga Shanker Mishra IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. 

Kudumbashree directed all the 14 district teams to select those beneficiaries under the award criteria ‘Best House Construction’ and had received a list of 825 beneficiaries from the districts. Later, a State Level Committee was formed and selected 10 beneficiaries from the list and handed over the same to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The Ministry selected three beneficiaries from this list for the Award. 

Kudumbashree had completed more than 64,000 houses till date. Kudumbashree had selected 'Harithabhavanam' (Green Houses) from among them and had given awards. Harithabhavanam award was given to those who maintained their premises in the best way. There were more criteria in the selection which includes energy conservation, sustainable use of water etc. Awards worth Rs 10,000 each were given by Kudumbashree to 124 beneficiaries. 

The officials of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Irinjalakuda Municipality and Varkala Municipality had extended the award winning beneficiaries all the needed support. PMAY (U) had given awards to 88 beneficiaries from across the country altogether for building good houses using PMAY (U) funds.

Mukkam Municipality of Kozhikode district of Kerala has bagged the National Award  for the ‘Best Municipal Council ’constituted by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. This category of award is given to five best municipalities in the country. Mr. P.T Babu, Chairman, Mukkam Municipality, Adv. Chandni, Deputy Chairperson, Mukkam Municipality, Mr. N.K Hareesh, Secretary, Mukkam Municipality, Mr. Kunjan Master, Former Chairman,  Mukkam Municipality received the award on behalf of Mukkam Municipality from Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India during the function  held online on 1 January 2021. 

In the first phase of PMAY (U) Programme approval was obtained for construction of 349 houses in Mukkam Municipality. Out of this, construction of 338 houses has been completed. In the second phase, approval was received for 152 houses. Out of this, construction of 137 houses has been completed. Mukkam Municipality has become the first ULB in Kerala by completing 95 % of the project in the shortest possible time.

The PMAY(Urban) Programme implemented in Mukkam Municipality stands out as it is formulated and implemented as a comprehensive programme other than considering it only as a housing programme. Also it was implemented in mission mode prefixing the dates in various phases. Various other programmes were converged for the PMAY beneficiaries and this made the housing project  attractive and comprehensive. Cement building blocks were made available at Rs 10 per cement block by including in the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme. Also wells were constructed for the needy beneficiaries in their house premises. Eligible houses were included in the Swachh Bharath Programme and were provided with Biogas Plants at subsidized rates (biogas plants worth Rs 15000 were given at Rs 1500). Those interested in skill training (from the PMAY U beneficiary family) were provided with skill training by including in the National Urban Livelihood Mission.

In addition, when approval was received from Kudumbashree, the meeting of the beneficiaries were conducted during the succeeding week itself and were given awareness. The dates for distribution of the installments and the completion of the houses are prefixed and are implemented in mission mode. Mukkam Municipality had taken special attention to credit the upcoming installment to the bank account of the beneficiary, once each construction phase was completed. Whenever the receipt of central/ state funds were slightly delayed, necessary actions were taken to arrange the needed amount for the beneficiaries temporarily from the own fund of the municipality. When the construction of the houses were completed, Completion Camp was organized for the beneficiaries as well. Through the camp, under the supervision of the engineering, revenue sections of the municipality, house number was allotted for the completed houses without any delay. All these had helped Mukkam Municipality in making this meritorious achievement.

Kudumbashree is the State Level Nodal Agency of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Urban), the centrally sponsored programme which gives houses to the urban homeless in Kerala. In Kerala, the PMAY - U programme is being implemented converging with LIFE Mission. Till date, approval has been received for construction of 1,02,229 houses. Out of this, construction of 63,449 houses have been completed. The excellence in project execution is continuing.

Utsav, Kudumbashree's online marketing campaign, which was envisaged to boost sales through kudumbashreebazaar.com, the online marketing portal of Kudumbashree became a great success.Through this trade fair held from 4-30 November,  sales of Rs. 12,45,033 was recorded. It was for the first time, Kudumbashree organised such an online trade fair and the first season of 'Utsav' was a great success. Through this activity, Kudumbashree was able to make the best online marketing possible. 

A total of 142 units from 14 districts across the state registered in Utsav by offering discounts for their products. Out of these units, 133 entrepreneurs had received orders during the campaign. 834 products uploaded by 142 enterprises were floated for sale through the online portal with many discounts. These products received 7492 orders. Through this, income of Rs. 12,45,033  was also recorded. Through this online marketing campaign, kudumbashree products were introduced to many new customers. And, some of the customers had approached Kudumbashree to buy these products in bulk quantities and that itself reflects the success of 'Utsav'.

Kannur district team showcased best performance in 'Utsav' Campaign. Kannur district ensured registration of maximum enterprises (36) in the campaign; also they ranked high when considering the number of products (122) uploaded. Kannur earned maximum number of orders (1538) and registered maximum sales (Rs 2,46,742) as well. Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kottayam districts also did well to coordinate. 1148 orders were received for enterprises from Ernakulam district. 1146 orders were received from Thrissur. Also, 688 orders were received from Kozhikode district and 313 orders were received from Kottayam district.

The Postal Department extended the services of delivering the products to the customers. In addition to sales, Kudumbashree was able to give training/ information about online marketing to our entrepreneurs. Also, by doing various activities related to online marketing, Kudumbashree team was able to gain insights about various aspects of the online market. 

Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Team had ensured excellent participation in the election process.  Dr. D Sajith Babu IAS, District Collector, Kasaragod had given approval for Kudumbashree to sell cooked food for the officials at the 9 distribution centres set up as part of the Local Body Elections at Kasaragod district. As per this, 86 Kudumbashree members have cooked and distributed food and had secured Rs 4,99,997 as income. The District Administration had entrusted Kudumbashree not only to serve food at distribution centres, but they were also provided with opportunities at polling booths. Kudumbashree entrepreneurs were entrusted for giving breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/coffee, snacks etc as packed food to the officials at 1,409 polling booths. Under their leadership, food was distributed in all polling booths. 2,721 NHG members have secured a turnover of Rs 24,67,290 (altogether) through this activity. By adding sales through both activities i.e., serving food at distribution centres and providing packed food at  the polling booths, Kudumbashree members of Kasaragod district have recorded a turnover of Rs 29,67,287.  This was the highlight of the opportunity received by Kudumbashree Kasaragod team. 

In addition to these, Kudumbashree members were entrusted to clean the distribution centres and to disinfect the polling booths. 2,339 NHG members took charge of these activities. It is a great achievement that the participation of 5,146 NHG members was ensured at distribution centres and polling booths as part of this democratic process. Other than earning profit through food distribution, these women became close with the democratic process and were able to assist those who came to serve during the election process.  Along with helping the Kudumbashree NHG members come forward to the mainstream of the society as elected representatives, the Kudumbashree system had always tried to partner in the election process by making use of various opportunities. In short, active participation of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs was recorded during the Local Body Elections at Kasaragod. 

Along with becoming part of strengthening the democratic process by maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for the officials who came for the election, this was an activity that helped the women empowerment process. Even during the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Kudumbashree members across the state were active at distribution centres, training centres and counting stations engaged in various activities such as food distribution, data entry works, printing, maintaining green protocol etc.

When the local body election procedures came to an end, Kudumbashree has secured the greatest success. Out of the 16,965 Kudumbashree members contested in the local body elections, 7071 of them were selected as people's representatives. It is a great achievement for Kudumbashree that, out of the entire set of people's representatives, about 1/3rd are Kudumbashree members! This could be considered as the epitome of Women Empowerment.

The experience attained by working along with the public for longer periods, the skill to identify and resolve the issues of the public (especially that of women), the experience earned by providing leadership to the various programmes of Kudumbashree (implemented in convergence with the LSGIs), the trainings received in connection with the same and the experience thus gained about working with the Government etc. would have contributed to the participation of Kudumbashree members in local body elections. This resulted in huge opportunities for them as well. The public support, leadership, experience, practical knowledge, confidence gained through social activities and willingness for selfless service they have attained through Kudumbashree will help them in their activities as elected representatives.

The details of those competed in the local body elections with the number of winners are given below (In the order of the District, number of Kudumbashree members who competed and number of members who won elections)

1. Thiruvananthapuram- 1415- 547

2. Kollam-1607- 551

3. Pathanamthitta- 889- 333

4. Alappuzha-1668- 609

5. Kottayam-1279- 457

6. Idukki- 733- 381

7. Ernakulam-1918- 656

8. Thrissur-815- 537

9. Palakkad-1617- 654

10. Malappuram- 1429- 678

11. Kozhikode-1676- 694

12. Wayanad-382- 228

13. Kannur- 1266- 602

14. Kasaragod- 171- 144

Total- 16,865- 7071

All the 21,865* elected members have sworn in as members/ counsellors of the local bodies in the state. It is expected that these elected representatives will be able to ensure local economic development in the best possible manner by making use of the experience attained by working along with the public.

*As per www.trend.kerala.gov.in

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