Gandhinagar (Gujarat), February 14: The Gujarat government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has launched the G-SAFAL (Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods) initiative. This transformative program is aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of Antyodaya families, empowering women, and promoting economic self-sufficiency among underprivileged families in the state.
Over the next five years, G-SAFAL will benefit 50,000 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholder families across 25 talukas in 10 districts of Gujarat. The initiative is being implemented by the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Limited (Rural Development Department) and offers comprehensive support to beneficiaries, encompassing livelihood opportunities, financial inclusion, and social development.
The scheme has been designed to break the cycle of extreme poverty and enable sustainable economic growth by providing beneficiaries with skill training, grants, and essential guidance. It is built around four key pillars:
- Social Security – Facilitating access to government welfare schemes and strengthening social security.
- Livelihood Creation – Providing grants to generate wealth and establish multiple income sources.
- Financial Inclusion – Enabling beneficiaries to connect with banks, savings programs, credit facilities, and insurance services.
- Social Development and Empowerment – Enhancing life skills through training programs and encouraging active participation in self-help groups.
Each beneficiary family will receive a grant of Rs 80,000, which will be used to create additional income streams and ensure long-term financial sustainability. The support includes training and mentorship to ensure beneficiaries can sustain and grow their livelihood opportunities.
The initiative will focus on integrating beneficiaries into the formal financial system, ensuring they have access to banking and financial services. Field coaches will provide continuous support and ensure effective implementation. A state-level digital dashboard will monitor the progress of the scheme, fund disbursements, and key household development metrics in real-time.
The G-SAFAL initiative also aims to empower women, with field coaches working closely with 40 families each to provide tailored training. It will be implemented in several districts and talukas, including Banaskantha, Patan, Kutch, Surendranagar, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Dahod, Narmada, Tapi, and Dang.
This scheme aligns with the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) launched by the Government of India in January 2023, which aims to improve the quality of life in 500 aspirational blocks. G-SAFAL’s focus on livelihood development and upgrading essential services represents a crucial step toward achieving sustainable development and prosperity in the state’s aspirational regions.