Govt to support NGOs engaged in poverty alleviation programmes

New Delhi, Dec 4 (UNI) Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today said the government would fully support NGOs and other agencies engaged in poverty eradication programmes.

Addressing a three-day conference on ' What it takes to eradicate poverty', jointly organised by the Poor Areas Civil Society ( PACS) programme by Development Alternatives in partnership with Department for International Development, UK (DFID) and Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) here, Dr Singh stressed the need to cater the person at the bottom of the society, more specifically the rural Below Poverty Line (BPL) family members.

Poverty cannot be eradicated without getting rid of unemployment problem, he pointed out adding that it can be achieved by providing either a permanent job or mean of regular as well as sustainable income.

Giving details of the Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), an ambitious employment generation scheme launched by his ministry, Dr Singh informed the formation of nearly 26 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs) so far under the scheme.

The minister called for proper marketing logistic help to the rural artisans in proper packaging and branding of their products.

Civil Society must come forward in helping neaely 5.5 crore BPL rural poor, especially the rural women engaged in Self employment activities under the SHGs to get financial help from banks, financial institutions and have their bank accounts open extending all possible help so as to become able to earn with dignity.

The Conference is being organised to analyse policies, institutional financing, direct action and other instruments that have, or have not, helped improve the lives of the poor, the marginalised and the excluded before its conclusion. Over 1000 participants and panchayat heads from remote villages, covered under the programme, were participating in this conference.

PACS programme was conceptualised and supported by the UK Government's Department for International Development (DFID). Its project details and results, with a reach of over 13 lakh rural households in the 108 poorest districts of the country and the objective of empowering the poor in the most backward and poorest districts of India, the programme had helped the poor realise their entitlements in an effective and sustainable manner.

UNI