Awareness of govt schemes integral for dev of poor strata:Minister

New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar today said proper dissemination of information regarding various government schemes at the grass root level was integral to addressing the problems of the poor strata in a scientific manner.

Inaugurating a two-day National Conference of State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) of National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) here, Ms Kumar said, ''The identification of genuine and needy beneficiaries is another area where we should concentrate.'' She assured the states that funds would not be a constraint in the implementation of schemes for the economic upliftment of the backward classes and said her minsitry would provide liberal financial assistance for skill enhancement progarmmes.

She said the regular exhibition of products would help in creating awareness about the government's programmes and also provide a platform to artisans to market their products in big cities.

The Minister said Micro Finance through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) was a ''viable alternative'' to formal credit by financial institutions. ''Micro Finance is also a better option for the clusters of the target group living in far-flung areas not being covered through other credit mechanism. The experience shows that the proper utilization of loan and recovery is ensured through Micro Finance activities.'' Highlighting the role of skill development, she emphasised that artisans should be exposed to the latest techniques in the areas of manufacturing and production.

The Minister also congratulated NBCFDC for establishing institutional linkages with premier training institutes like the NID, ATDC and the Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrahalaya.

''Backward Class youths must be introduced to technological skill development programmes...The Centre and State Governments have launched several developmental schemes, which should be studied with the view to integrate the efforts of all these schemes for the betterment of the backward classes.'' Ms Kumar said the State Channelising Agencies have greater responsibilities to ameliorate the socio-economic condition of weaker sections. ''The State Corporations should assist the needy people of the target group not only through credit but also counseling on relevant techniques of business or related activities.'' The SCAs should aid integration of locally available resources and make good use of these resources to create a proper impact of the schemes.

The state governments should also fulfill the responsibility of providing adequate guarantee to the National Corporation and strengthen their SCAs for absorbing additional funds, she added.

Minister of State Subbulakshmi Jagdeesan said that women empowerment should be on the top of the agenda while implementing schemes of the Corporation at all levels. ''New Swarnima and Mahila Smridhi Yojana are there to extend loans to women of the target group.'' Earlier in his welcome address, MD (NBCFDC) A A Naqvi outlined the priorities of the NBCFDC for the 11th Five Year Plan during which the Corporation would cover a large number of backward class beneficiaries under the Micro Finance Scheme of the Corporation.

He informed that the Corporation had so far received budgetary support from the Government to the tune of Rs 448.35 crore against which an amount of Rs 1150 crore had been disbursed in 27 states to assist over 7.5 lakh beneficiaries through the SCAs under various schemes.

UNI