Rural Livelihood Project covers 800 MP villages

Bhopal, June 1 :As many as 827 villages spread over eight predominantly tribal districts in Madhya Pradesh have been covered in the first phase of the Rural Livelihood Project financed by the United Kingdom's Department for Internation Development.

Over Rs 115 crore has been provided on reimbursement basis in the first phase of the three-year project. This is the only externally aided project in the state having no debt component, official sources said.

The project gives untied money directly to the Gram Sabha for sanctioning appropriate activity with the consent of the beneficiary and the village community.

In project villages, covering Jhabua, Dhar, Barwani, Mandla, Shahdol, Dindori, Anuppur and Sheopur districts, sustainable source of livelihood has been provided to 2700 families, while 6100 people have been identified who can earn their livelihood as service providers. Majority of the beneficiaries are tribals.

Finance ranging from Rs 1500 to Rs 18,000 is provided for micro-enterprises like grocery shops, manihari shops, brick making, cloth shops, tent houses, vegetable shop, forest produce collection, bamboo craft, carpentry and furniture making.

UNI