Socio-economic Attributes of the Mission Shakti Beneficiaries in Odisha, India

Even after decades of progressive policy and social reform, gender disparities persistently influence women's participation in economic activities across India. This study, titled “Entrepreneurial Intention of the Beneficiaries Working under the Mission Shakti Programme,” investigates the entrepreneurial intentions among women Self-Help Group (SHG) members in Subarnapur district, Odisha. Their socio-economic attributes were studied carefully, and their effect on entrepreneurial intentions was observed. An ex post facto research design was employed, and the study surveyed 160 beneficiaries from eight villages across two blocks, which were selected through random sampling. Data collection was facilitated through a structured interview schedule developed and validated through pilot testing and expert review. After analysis of the collected data on socio-economic attributes, it was found that majority of the Mission Shakti beneficiaries were middle-aged (31 to 50 years), OBC/SEBC, married, living in nuclear families up to four members, engaged in business as their major occupation, possessing marginal landholdings, and residing in pucca houses. A quarter of respondents (25.00%) were educated up to the undergraduate level, followed closely by 24.38 percent who had completed intermediate education. The family annual income distribution of the respondents showed that a considerable proportion (29.37%) earned between 2 to 3 lakh rupees annually, followed closely by (25.63%) who reported an income between 3 to 4 lakh rupees, and (22.50 %) who earned up to 1 lakh. This study will be instrumental in analyzing the socio-economic attributes of the beneficiaries under the Mission Shakti programme, thereby helping to enhance their entrepreneurial qualities. It will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers in the development of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the grassroots level by addressing the gaps identified in their qualities.