Empowering Change In an inspiring move to transform the lives of urban homeless people, Andhra Pradesh has unveiled the “Nivasam” app, a cutting-edge tool to oversee the management of shelters across the state. This initiative, spearheaded by MA&UD Minister Ponguru Narayana, is set to redefine how shelters are operated, ensuring transparency and efficiency.

Revamped Digital Platforms The launch took place at a workshop in Vijayawada, where Minister Narayana also introduced a revamped website for the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA). This new digital presence aims to fortify the support provided to self-help group (SHG) women, furthering Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to battling urban poverty.

Financial Boost for the Nepali Community During the event, cheques were transferred to beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi scheme, providing much-needed financial aid to vendors striving for economic stability. Additionally, SC entrepreneurs excellence was celebrated with appreciation certificates, recognizing their significant contributions to the community.

Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives The path to progress isn’t walked alone. A pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was established between MEPMA and the Labour Department, linking unorganized workers with the e-Shram scheme for enhanced financial security. Mr. N. Tej Bharat, MEPMA’s Mission Director, unveiled ambitious plans to nurture 30,000 women entrepreneurs by harnessing e-commerce platforms and fostering partnerships with giants like Amazon through initiatives like Amazon Saheli.

Investing in the Future Financial empowerment lies at the heart of this initiative. The government plans to disburse an incredible ₹8,000 crore in loans to SHGs, reinforcing the urban poor’s socio-economic resilience. Programs such as the Group and Individual Self-Employment Schemes will see substantial funding, fueling entrepreneurial spirit across the state.

A Vision of Zero Poverty Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar highlighted the MEPMA’s laudable work in striving towards a ‘Zero Poverty’ vision, encouraging further steps towards the ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ goal. This collective effort portrays a promising horizon for Andhra Pradesh’s urban landscape.

As stated in The Hindu, Andhra Pradesh’s strategic push towards leveraging technology and partnerships is unlocking new pathways for urban development, a testament to the power of innovative governance.