Shillong, Feb 24 (FN Bureau) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said that the government is focusing on creating livelihood opportunities for the womenfolk, farmers and the youth through different programmes and schemes through the Self Help Groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). “Many SHGs have been formed in different blocks of the State and these SHGs have been assisted financially through Start-Up Funds, Revolving Fund, Community Management Fund and through Bank Loans,” he said after launching the Foundation Stone for the Rerapara Community and Rural Development) Block in South West Garo Hills district and also inaugurated the SHG (Self Help Group) ‘Mela’ (fair).
The Chief Minister also informed the gathering that 40,000 SHGs with membership strength of close to 4 lakh have been assisted financially amounting to Rs 220 crores throughout the State so far. During the programme, 12 village organizations under Rerapara C&RD block were given financial assistance amounting to Rs. 1.30 crore and an amount of Rs 50 lakh through Meghalaya Rural bank loan, which is interest free. Sangma urged the SHGs to fulfill the needs of the group and the community through the assistance and also highlighted the salient features and the welfare schemes of the FOCUS programme. He also apprised the gathering at length of the different missions of the State, like the Piggery Mission, Diary Mission, Poultry Mission, Aquaculture Mission and urged the community to reap the benefits of these missions though the co-operative societies.
The Chief Minister also informed that Rs 2.25 crores has been sanctioned for the new block building and construction work would start soon, even as he urged the Block Development Officer and the contractor to ensure that the building is completed within the time frame for the larger interest, convenience and benefit of the people of the area. “We have seen that most of the blocks in the State are without buildings or infrastructure, therefore the government has allocated Rs 120 crores for new buildings and creation of infrastructure in all the 46 blocks of the State,” he said and added that the tender for the same will be floated in March-April. The Chief Minister also said that the demands for creation of new blocks and civil subdivisions will be reviewed and examined.