Addressing a workshop on 'Samavesh: Accelerating Inclusive Growth' organised by Skoch Development Foundation here, the chief minister said female literacy rate in the state was relatively high, but much more still needs to be done to take development to women from SC/ST communities.
"There has been reasonable development in various sectors after formation of the state. Growth rate in the state is a good eleven per cent but there is need to take the benefits to SC/ST women, those from backward areas, hill region and border areas," he said.
A separate fund has been created by the state government for the development of backward areas and a Horticulture Marketing Board has been set up for marketing products from the hill areas, Bahuguna said.
To pay subsidy directly to people in general, the state government has chalked out a plan making it mandatory for everyone to have a bank account, he said adding, financial inclusion is one of the important aspects of inclusive development.
The chief minister also said the Centre had given its consent to adopting cluster approach to extend banking services in hill areas.
Elaborating on 'Samavesh' programme, Skoch Group Chairman Sameer Kochar said in its first phase being executed in different parts of the city, awareness was being created among people about banking, marketing and financial literacy.
