Livelihood Tracker & SHG Data Profiling and Digital Transformation Initiative – Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas,Andhra Pradesh

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Case Study

Digital Transformation for SHG Empowerment – The MEPMA Model

The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA), Government of Andhra Pradesh, has embarked on an ambitious digital transformation initiative aimed at restructuring how urban Self Help Groups (SHGs) are monitored, supported, and empowered. Through two complementary projects—SHG Data Profiling and the Livelihood Tracker—MEPMA has addressed long-standing challenges in data management, financial transparency, and livelihood promotion for over 28 lakh women in Andhra Pradesh.

Established in 2007, MEPMA serves as the State Level Nodal Agency for implementing the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM). Over the years, it has federated 2.75 lakh SHGs into an extensive three-tier community-based structure including Slum Level Federations (SLFs), Town Level Federations (TLFs), and Zilla Urban Samakhyas (ZUS). This institutional framework, although vast and potent, faced critical bottlenecks in data quality, planning, and monitoring that hindered effective governance and delivery of welfare services.

One of the core impediments identified was the lack of accurate, consistent, and real-time data on SHG members and their activities. The database had not undergone purification in five years, resulting in duplications, obsolete entries of deceased or migrated members, and fake or duplicate loan records. Without a single source of truth, financial misallocations, poor monitoring of SHG meetings, and the inability to link beneficiaries with welfare schemes became rampant.

Similarly, on the livelihood front, there was no structured mechanism to assess operational costs, monitor income from self- or wage-employment, or identify failing livelihood units. Disconnected from financial tracking, the absence of integrated data inhibited meaningful support and hampered SHG members’ chances at economic self-sufficiency.

Launched in October 2024, the SHG Data Profiling and Digital Transformation Initiative became the first-of-its-kind effort in India to cleanse and authenticate SHG-related data through an Android-based application. This initiative involved a rigorous two-stage data collection and four-layered verification framework. SLF Resource Persons collected the data via physical forms and mobile apps, equipped with features like OTP verification, Aadhaar integration, and live photo capture. This data was then verified at successive levels by Community Organizers, City Mission Managers, Technical Experts, and finally Project Directors.

This comprehensive digital drive resulted in the creation of a dynamic, authenticated database that accurately captured group formation details, demographic profiles, financials, bank linkages, social security coverage, and livelihood status of members. It enabled the revival process of over 20,000 inactive SHGs and replacement of nearly 5.74 lakh dormant members. Notably, financial assessments revealed that the SHG corpus was Rs 6,000 crore—far above the earlier estimated Rs 1,166 crore—highlighting the gaps that previously existed.

To build on the success of SHG profiling, MEPMA launched the Livelihood Tracker module in December 2024, as part of a 100-day action plan to generate 35,000 self-employment units and 9,183 wage employment placements. The tracker was designed to monitor every aspect of livelihood activity in real time—from capital expenditure to income, profits, and market linkages.

The Android and web-based application integrated seamlessly with the SHG database and enabled day-to-day updates by Resource Persons and Community Organizers. It allowed tracking of monthly incomes, linking of SHG enterprises with MSME registration, ONDC onboarding, and identification of sector-wise employment trends. Importantly, dynamic report generation and analytics capabilities made the data immediately actionable for decision-makers at various administrative levels.

The deployment process for both modules followed a phased yet meticulous strategy. It began with stakeholder consultations and format finalization, followed by app development and dry runs. State- and district-level training workshops were conducted to ensure field functionaries—often with limited digital proficiency—could manage data collection and verification tasks. The solution included continuous handholding support, training sessions, and iterative improvements based on field feedback.

Challenges such as poor mobile/internet access, reluctance from members to share accurate data, and technological unfamiliarity were addressed through capacity building and operational guidance. Multi-layer authentication ensured elimination of duplications and fraudulent data entries. The project also introduced m-bookkeeping, FRS attendance, and automated grading of community-based organizations (CBOs) for transparency and performance evaluation.

The combined effect of SHG Data Profiling and Livelihood Tracker has been transformational. Key achievements include:

• Identification and revival of inactive SHGs.
  
• Replacement of non-participating members with active contributors.
  
• A 400% upward revision in corpus fund estimates, enabling accurate financial planning.
  
• Establishment of a centralized, real-time dashboard for SHG livelihood activities.
  
• Strengthened linkages to government schemes, financial products, and market access platforms.
  

The Livelihood Tracker, in particular, has enhanced the ability of stakeholders to monitor income trends, assess profitability, and identify support needs, thereby catalyzing sustainable growth and economic resilience for SHG women.

MEPMA’s approach has proven that a decentralized yet digitally centralized data model can revolutionize grassroots governance. Lessons learned include the necessity of regular data validation, integration of financial and livelihood support, and the importance of empowering frontline functionaries through training and accessible tools. The solution’s replicability to other states lies in its modular architecture and standardized CBO structure.

Future enhancements include integration with biometric attendance systems, automatic generation of meeting minutes, expansion of e-bookkeeping features, and introduction of richer analytics for predictive planning. MEPMA’s model now stands as a benchmark in urban development and women’s economic empowerment—merging technology, community, and governance for inclusive growth.

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For more information, please contact:
Tej Bharath N at mdmepma2@apmepma.gov.in

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