Chhattisgarh's focus on rural schemes

Raipur, July 2 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ajay Chandrakar has directed district panchayats' chief executive officers (CEOs) to pay special attention to implementation of rural development schemes relating to poverty alleviation.

''Such focus is essential as the interest of the poor is directly linked to these schemes. Under the Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana, at least one member of every family living below poverty line should be linked to self-help groups (SHGs),'' he said at a CEOs' meeting here yesterday.

Mr Chandrakar directed that local markets be provided for SHGs' select business activities and the Yojana's quarterly targets be attained at all costs.

''This state has done very good work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme but more needs to be done. Under the Chhattisgarh Rural Poverty Alleviation Project (Nava Anjor), 20,000 SHGs were formed and a target set for forming in excess of 5,000 SHGs more by August 31,'' he added.

UNI AS-AC 1657