Odisha govt provides financial assistance to women SHGs

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched a scheme for providing financial assistance to women self-help-groups (SHG) here.
One lakh SHGs have been identified to be covered under the scheme in Odisha of which Mayurbhanj district accounted for 8000. Each SHG would be provided a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 with an expenditure Rs 100 crore from the exchequer, the Chief Minister said.
Stating that SHGs comprising SC, ST, BPL and disabled woman would be given priority in the scheme, Patnaik said yardstick fixed for general category included minimum Rs 5,000 balance in their bank account and working experience of one year.

Of the 8000 SHGs in Mayurbhanj district selected under the scheme, checks were issued to 1165 SHGs working in rural area and 120 in urban areas.
The Panchayati Raj department would impart skill development and equipment function training to the women SHGs for which at least 20 types of equipment have been identified.
Patnaik also laid the foundation for a drinking water project for ameliorating water scarcity in Baripada town. The urban development department had sanctioned Rs 53 crore for the project under which provision has been made for bringing water from the Jambhira reservoir, about eight km from here.

Besides, Patnaik also laid the foundation for setting up of a government polytechnic at Tikarapara under Bamakhunta block had sanctioned Rs 12.30 crore for construction of the building and appointment of staff.
The state government had provided 10 acres of land for the proposed institution having a total of 240 seats in civil, electrical, mechanical and electronics and telecommunication branches.