MillenniumPost
Bengal

23,000 Self-Help Groups to be linked with banks

Kolkata: In a bid to improve the economic condition of villagers under various Self-Help Groups (SHGs), North 24-Parganas district administration sets a target of linking 23,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with banks.
According to sources in the district administration, around 19,000 SHGs and bank credit linkages are on the verge of completion while 4,000 new linkages are
yet to be done.
The scheme has got an impetus after the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her recent administrative meeting instructed the administrative officials to ensure that more number of SHGs get bank loans.
It may be mentioned here that after coming to power Chief Minister Banerjee laid enormous stress on the formation of various SHGs in the villages so that the rural youth become self-reliant.
The district has also a plan to distribute Kishan Credit Cards (KCCs) among 1.69 lakh people across the district. Sources said more than one lakh KCCs have already been distributed, while the rest will be covered in this year. The average credit limit for each individual is around Rs 43,000, an official said. The district administration is on constant touch with the banks and other financial institutions so that the farmers are not denied loans.
It may be mentioned that there were some allegations that the distribution of KCCs and also the credit linkages were not satisfactory and there was a delay in the whole process.
Trinamool Congress government urged various financial institutions to provide loans to more farmers and also requested them to increase the SHGs credit linkages. Chief Minister also instructed the district administration to ensure that the products prepared by the artisans under different clusters can be sold at various Kishan Bazars that have been set up in the districts.
It was also learnt that around nine Kishan Bazars have been completed where the products can prepared by the people under various SHGs can be accommodated.
The district administration is also planning if these groups can be incorporated with the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

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