With the objective of providing employment opportunities to economically weaker women and empowering them socially and economically, Ujala Mahila Bahuuddeshiya Sahakari Sangh Maryadit, Birgaon was registered.
The success story of this cooperative is as follows:

General Information (as on 2023–24)

1. Registration Number & Date: 419 / 24.11.2017
2. Total Members: 187
3. Number of Villages Covered: 6 villages
4. Authorized Share Capital: ₹1,23,000.00
5. Paid-up Share Capital: ₹1,00,000.00
6. Board of Directors: 11 members
7. Annual Turnover: ₹15,42,000.00
8. Net Profit: ₹2,74,000.00
9. Reserve Fund: ₹3,57,000.00
10. Dividend Distribution: 100%
11. Email ID: nulmbrigaon@gmail.com
12. Phone Number: 9516422282

Formation and Background

The Ujala Mahila Bahuuddeshiya Sahakari Sangh Maryadit, Birgaon (ALF) was established on 5th May 2017.
This ALF consists of 17 self-help groups (SHGs) with 181 members, operating in 6 villages — Urla, Achholi, Rawanbhatha, Urkura, Birgaon, and Sarora — under the Birgaon Municipal Corporation area.
Through the Manikanchan Centre, they are engaged in Mission Clean City activities.
Currently, the cooperative has 187 women members who have been contributing to the city’s cleanliness under Mission Clean City since July 2017, earning their livelihood through this initiative.
The group works under the leadership of Mrs. Mamta Dhruv (President).

Beginning of Mission Clean City Work

The women begin their work every morning at 6:30 a.m. They reach their respective Manikanchan Centres and mark attendance online through the Nistha App. At 7:00 a.m., they leave for door-to-door waste collection using e-rickshaws or tricycles.

They move through each ward, ringing bells to inform citizens to hand over their household waste.
They also explain the importance of waste segregation and encourage residents to keep wet and dry waste separately.
After about 3.5 hours, they return to the Manikanchan Centre around 10:30 a.m., rest for half an hour, and then start segregating the collected waste at 11:00 a.m.

Wet waste is sent to compost pits for manure production.
Dry waste is weighed and sold to local recyclers, generating additional income for the women.

Challenges Faced

At the beginning of the Mission Clean City program, the women faced social stigma — people looked down upon them and considered waste collection a menial job.
However, due to extensive awareness campaigns under the Swachh Bharat Mission, people gradually began to understand the importance of cleanliness and started appreciating their efforts.
Today, citizens acknowledge and respect the women for their essential role in keeping the city clean.

Results and Impact

Most of the women associated with this work come from economically weak backgrounds and were previously engaged in physically demanding labor in industries.
Through the joint efforts of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM) and the Swachh Bharat Mission, they received this opportunity, freeing them from heavy industrial labor.
Each member receives a monthly honorarium of ₹6,000 from the government.
In addition, through the sale of recyclable waste, the members collectively earn ₹80,000–₹90,000 per month as extra income.
They invest this income in multi-activity ventures to enhance their livelihood opportunities further.

Conclusion

Through hard work, discipline, and unity, the women of Ujala Mahila Bahuuddeshiya Sahakari Sangh Maryadit, Birgaon have transformed their lives.
They have not only achieved financial stability but also gained social respect by contributing significantly to the city’s cleanliness and public health.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Mamta Dhruv, the cooperative has become a model of women empowerment, self-reliance, and cooperative success.