Self-help units role in mid-day meal schemes

The Madhya Pradesh government is planning to hand over the mid-day meal schemes to self-help groups (SHGs) and provide them an insurance cover.

A panel to work out the feasibility of the proposal will be constituted soon, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh has announced. The panel will also look into other works that can be handled by the SHGs.

A state-level "carnival" held in Bhopal for the self-help groups saw participation from various districts. It was organised by the panchayat and rural development ministry under the Central government's Swarna Jayanti Rojgar Yojna.

Over 350,000 SHGs are operating in the state. They are involved in various manufacturing activities, under the brand, "Vindhya Valley".

The brand now covers a slew of SHG products ranging from food products like spices to pickle and fast-moving consumer goods like shampoo to hair oil.

Another SHG brand is "Suktawa". Managed by a non-government organisation, it markets poultry in Betul district.

Seed company Sironj Cooperative Productive Limited is working to create a seed brand in Sironj block of Vidisha district.

SHGs in Madhya Pradesh have not been as successful as those in south India. The main reason for this, sources said, was the lack of a marketing platform. "A federation or confederation will soon be constituted to provide the SHGs marketing assistance, forward and backward linkages," the chief minister announced.

"They will be allowed to participate in government-sponsored mid-day meal scheme for schools. They will also be provide exemption in sales tax and concessions in land rates.besides insurance facility," Chauhan said.

A five-day exhibition-cum-sale has also been organised at Bhopal Haat to showcase teh products of SHGs.