BARPETA, Nov 10 - As many as 291 self-help groups (SHGs) were sanctioned an amount of Rs 481.95 lakh by several banks at a mega loan mela organised by the Barpeta District Rural Livelihood Mission in the premises of the office of the Mandia development block on Monday.
Krishna Baruah, Director of the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission cum Additional Secretary to the Government of Assam, Department of Panchayat and Rural Development, formally inaugurated the mela. Addressing the gathering, Baruah lauded the efforts of the rural women to become self-reliant through the SHGs. She emphasised that these SHGs can strengthen the foundation of rural economy.�
Project officer of the Mission Sumit Das informed that till now 12,401 women SHGs have been formed in the district. Besides, there are 706 village organisations comprising these groups, which include 1,35,400 families. Around 3,600 groups have been provided revolving funds and financial aid under the Kanaklata Women Empowerment�Scheme. In addition, a number of banks have made adequate arrangements to provide loans at subsidised rates.
Earlier, deputy CEO of Barpeta Zila Parishad Chittaranjan Deka welcomed the guests. The meeting was conducted by Mandia BDO Nabaratna Patowary. DIPR Officer Bikash Sarma, project manager of the Mission Dipankar Majumdar, NABARD district development officer Shyamal Kumar Dey, NE Small Finance Bank regional head Pranjal Hazarika and representatives of several banks attended the meeting.
