JOIN USTumkur chosen for project to improve lives of rural poor
The district has been selected for the implementation of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), a programme by the Union government to improve living standards of rural poor. The project will come into effect from August.
It will be implemented on the lines of the Stree Shakthi Groups (SSGs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs). The Union government is implementing this project in 20 districts of the State. In Tumkur, Chikkanayakanahalli, Sira, Tumkur, Tiptur and Kunigal taluks have been selected in the first phase to implement the project on a pilot basis. The main aim is to bring improvement in living standards of the poor by increasing their income.
In SSGs and SHGs importance is given to savings. But under NRLM, preference will be given for entrepreneurship of the people. As the first step, associations will be formed at the hobli level. Members of these associations will be given training in taking up employment (tasks) complementing agriculture. Preference will be given for the economically backward women to take up the work.
Moreover, National Bank for Rural Development (Nabard) will give a loan to these associations to start a business. Each association can avail loan up to Rs 25 lakh.
Under the project, Rs 12.5 crore will be released as the first instalment. Initially, 125 associations will be formed. Meetings of the officers at district-level have been conducted in this regard. Accordingly, sector officers have been appointed to form associations at hobli-level. Currently, officers are busy finding entrepreneurs to take up the tasks.
The government will take the responsibility of providing market for the products prepared by these associations. In addition, it will also provide infrastructure. These associations can sell their products at any exhibition conducted in the country. This will generate hundreds of employment opportunities at the rural level.
The loans will also help set up small industries like sheep rearing units, papad-making units, agri-units to prepare products by using agriculture raw materials. But these associations have to follow many conditions for establishing the units. Officers appointed will help the entrepreneurs to start business.
“This project will provide self employment opportunities in villages. This will also bring profit for people coming from economically backward backgrounds. Good market and infrastructure will be provided. All preparations have been completed. The project may extend to other taluks gradually,” said K N Govindaraju, Chief Executive Officer of Tumkur Zilla Panchayat.