Delivering the Foundation Day lecture on “Gramabhivriddhi Yojane: Dharmasthala Maadari’ at Mangalore University here on Tuesday, he said addiction to bad habits is the main reason for poverty. There is a need to ward off poverty.

He said Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) was an ‘experiment’ started to bring in rural development 25 years ago. “We are planning to extend the SKDRDP throughout the State,” he added.

Dr Heggade said “in Gramabhivriddhi Yojane as per Dharmasthala Maadari, we have considered beneficiaries as partners in progress. We have made them to think that never depend on progress but become partner in progress.”

He said SHG members were given self-management and were brought out of social and political biases. Self-sustenance and empowerment is the main goal of SKDRDP, he added.

He said small and marginal farmers of the project area are organised under Pragathi Bandhu model of SHG. The group engages in labour sharing, thrift and micro credit once in a week. The labour sharing has helped thousands of small farmers to achieve important farm works.

Loan recovery

Stating that SHGs have achieved cent per cent loan recovery, he said members who have taken loan repay loan every week. All the SHG members are responsible for the loan taken by an individual.

Dairy products

Stating that animal husbandry is not popularised in Shimoga and Chikmagalur districts, Dr Heggade said SKDRDP will focus on animal husbandry in the next five years in these two districts.

Dr Heggade assured to provide financial aid for the construction of a mini hall as part of multipurpose auditorium complex in the Mangalore University campus premises.  Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof K M Kaveriappa presided. Mrs Hemavathi Heggade, Registrar Dr K Sundar Naik, Finance Officer Prof Yedapadithaya, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof K K Achary and Student Welfare Officer Dr Chinnappa Gowda were present.

58,700 SHGs

Dr D Veerendra Heggade informed that SKDRDP has started 58,700 Self-Help Groups in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts. These SHGs have  saved a sum of Rs 79.88 crore. A sum of Rs 383 crore loan has been disbursed among the members. It has made a turnover of Rs 662 crore. A sum of Rs 114 crore has been saved from once in week labour sharing.

He said SKDRDP has 1,200 Sevanirathas. There will be one Sevanirathas for 30-40 SHGs.

For a nominal premium of Rs 700 per annum, the Sampoorna suraksha scheme covers entire family of five members against hospitalisation expenses. As many as 10 lakh members have been covered under Sampoorna Suraksha scheme. A sum of Rs 6.50 crore premium has been paid in 2007-08.