Odisha to form 10 lakh more self help groups

BHUBANESWAR: In its bid to eradicate poverty in the countryside, Odisha govenrment has planned to form 10 lakh more self help groups (SHGs) in order to help people earn a decent living.

This was stated by panchayati raj minister Arun Kumar Sahoo while inaugurating a sensitization workshop on the National Rural Livelihoods Mission here yesterday.

"Our responsibility is to ensure dignity in everyone's life. All rural households must be brought under SHGs on a war-footing. We should form at least 10 lakh SHGs by organizing people", Sahoo said.

"Each SHG will be provided with bank loans at 1 percent interest rate," Sahoo said.

The minister also promised to provide a financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to each group and make all arrangements for the sale of their products.

Sahoo highlighted the promise of Panchayati Raj Department to make provision for infrastructure, basic services and improved livelihoods to create dent in rural poverty.

The Odisha Livelihood Mission will work towards the improvement of financial capacities of the women living under Below Poverty Line, he pointed out.