Performance of Jeevika Sakhi of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission on Improving Livelihoods of Rural Poor in Assam, India

Abstract

Introduction: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission in Assam introduced a community resource person, Jeevika Sakhi, to facilitate the Self-help Groups formed under the mission. Jeevika Shakhis helps the rural poor until they can support themselves. Objectives: (i)To determine the performance of Jeevika Shakhi's role under DAY-NRLM, (ii) to find out the impact of Jeevika Sakhi's intervention on the livelihood of SHG members, and (iii) to assess SHG members' development perceptions after Jeevika Sakhi's intervention. Methodology: The location of the study was Balipara Development Block of Sonitpur district of Assam, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted for which data were collected from 150 respondents. The data was collected from April 2022 to June 2022. For the analysis of data, descriptive statistics and Difference -in Difference method were applied. Results and Discussion: The results show that all the Jeevika Sakhis could not perform all the designated roles. However, there were positive changes in SHG members' income after the introduction of Jeevika Sakhis. A positive development was found in the case of the SHG members of DAY-NRLM after the intervention of Jeevika Shakhi Conclusion: The study revealed a need for capacity building of Jeevika Sakhis, which will improve the performance of the Jeevika Sakhis.