CCEA approves REGP for current financial year

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval for continuation of the Rural Employment Generation Programme(REGP) till March, 2008, which would generate 7.04 lakh additional job opportunities in rural areas during the year.

The earlier sanction of the scheme was till March 2007 and the programme is aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs to set up production units.

Briefing newspersons on the outcome of the CCEA meeting, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the rationale for sanctioning the scheme was to ensure that its benefits are uninterrupted. The scheme is in full swing in the rural areas.

CCEA gave approval for an expenditure of Rs 445 crore towards REGP during the year.

UNI