Haryana to form 100 new Self Help Groups in villages

Chandigarh, May 3 (UNI) The Haryana government has decided to form 100 new Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the rural areas of the state during the current financial year with a view to making poor people self-reliant.

Haryana Minister of State for Cooperation Meena Mandal today said a sum of Rs 20 lakh had been earmarked as assistance for the promotion of these SHGs under the new scheme.

She said each of these Self Help Group would comprise at least 20 persons who would be engaged in carpentry, making of masala, pickle, zari jooti, shoe, rosary beads of Tulsi and Sandal wood.

Besides, quality earthen wares and 'moodhas' would also be made by them.

Ms Mandal said that in each district at least five Self Help Groups having rural artisans and craftsmen would be formed in the area of operation of each District Central Cooperative Bank.

The formation of self-help groups, she said, would have the potential to alleviate poverty. The business activities which were being carried out by these groups would not only help in raising the socio-economic status of the group members but would also bring social improvement through collective work, she added.

UNI