Giving relief to the women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) set up under the Deen Dayal Antyodya-National Rural livelihood Mission (NRlM) in the State, Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar lal on Saturday announced that the interest on bank loan taken by such SHGs would be borne by the State Government till the income of each member of that group does not reach rupees one lakh per annum.
Addressing the State level function of Aajeevika Evam Kaushal Vikas Diwas organized by Haryana State Rural livelihood Mission at Panchkula, the Chief Minister also announced that three SHGs from each district securing first, second and third positions would be awarded every year with cash prize of Rs one lakh, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 on the basis of their annual income.
Thanking the members of SHGs for their greetings on his birthday, the Chief Minister said that Aajeevika Evam Kaushal Vikas is a part of Gram Savraj Yojna implemented in the country for the systematic development of villages. He said that the State government has launched 'Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan' on the occasion of Dr B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 which concluded on Saturday.
During this period, various programmes had been organized at district, block and tehsil level to apprise the people about various welfare schemes of the centre and state governments so that maximum people could get the benefit of same.
He said that besides the infrastructure development, the State Government has also made efforts towards the intellectual development of people so that they could become self-reliant and also fulfill all necessary requirements of their families.
It was a matter of pride that lakhs of families in the State are working with the SHGs and also made it part of their livelihood. Manohar lal said that merely getting degree is not enough and to get employment, skill development is necessary . Keeping this in view, the State Government has set up a Skill Development Mission and also established a Skill Development University, which is the first-of-its-kind university in the country. The University is offering several courses to improve the skill of the youth so as to make them employable.
Assuring all support and cooperation of the State Government to the SHGs, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has waived off the interest on loan of those SHGs who have repaid loan on time.
Speaking on the occasion, Development and Panchayats Minister, O.P Dhankar said that at present the SHGs are working with a turnover of Rs 130 crore and a target has been fixed to increase it to Rs 5000 crore. He exhorted the members of SHGs to learn new skills keeping in view the changing market demand.