Govt okays supermarket for products
Panaji: In what could be termed as a boost to rural production in the state, the government on Thursday said the self-help groups (SHGs) in the state have altogether been disbursed a revolving fund of Rs 8.28 crore. It said banks have provided a financial assistance of Rs 312 crore in the form of loans to the state SHGs.
According to the government, there are a total of 3,250 SHGs in Goa and these groups have developed and are operating 480 brands under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission. A total of 141 SHGs have been employed under the Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana and they operate nine canteens, the Chief Minister’s
office said.
The state government on Thursday granted approval for setting up of a supermarket for the sale of products prepared by SHGs in the state through the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
The approval was granted during a meeting of the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission held in Panaji and chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission has also focussed on start-up village enterprise programme 2039 for beneficiaries from five talukas.
The Chief Minister said that ‘one station one product’ units of SHGs are operational at two railway stations in the state and these units sell products worth Rs 2.5 lakh a day during the tourist season.
During the meeting, discussions were held on various topics including increasing the number of SHGs in the state by around 300-400 and digitising records of SHGs by way of e-bookkeepers.
Government sources said schemes for the SHGs are implemented through funds allocated by the Centre, which gives 60% of the money, and the state, which provides 40% of the amount.
“We have extended the target for Lakhpati Didis to 17,000 women for which 17,331 women SHG members have been identified. It is suggested that SHG members should be covered with accidental death insurance, and 141 members have been registered as Bima Sakhi to implement insurance for all,” Sawant said.
He said the Goa government and Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission are committed to implement all the schemes including Namo Drone Didi and others under an umbrella scheme of Lakhpati Didi in the state for the all-round development of women and rural households in the state.
“I am happy to note that the SHGs have contributed to various initiatives like planting 12,000 trees under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’” Sawant said.
Minister for Rural Development Govind Gaude, Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou, IAS, senior officials, representatives of NABARD and others attended the meeting.
