Utilise more funds in Plantation for eco dev in NE: Meira

Gangtok, Jun 13 (UNI) Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar today asked the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) to utilise more funds in plantation activitics in the north eastern region for the economic empowerment of marginalised sections of people.

Inaugurating the regional meeting of welfare secretaries of north eastern states here, the minister said a large number of farmers and agriculture labourers could be benefitted if more funds were utilised in bamboo plantation, medicinal plantation, fruits and vegetable growing and processing.

The minister, on a four-day visit to the state, praised the NBCFDC for providing financial assistance at a lower interest rate to backward classes through 44 state channelising agencies out of which eight were working in the north east.

She wanted the corporation to draw the full allocation this year so that a larger population living below the poverty line could take advantage of the schemes.

She hoped that the beneficiaries would get self employmet through assistance given by the corporation.

The Minister said the corporation had several other schemes designed to cater to the needs of youth and women and there was a need for creating awareness about the education loan scheme and micro finance schemes so that the people were benfitted by them.

She also urged the Chief Ministers and the state governments to play a pro-active role to improve the quality of life of marginalised sections of society.

Ms Kumar said her government was giving top prioity to, programmes in northeastern region and the fund allocation for the purpose in the region had already crossed over Rs 50 crore per annum.

She said during the last two years, a number of steps had been taken for empowerment of persons with disabilities and members of backward classes.

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