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Bengal

Self-Help Group opens eatery with minimal rates

Kolkata: One of them worked at a private company in Salt Lake while another was an employee of Life Insurance Corporation of India.
However, they wished to do work independently. As they discussed their plan, they found some-like minded people who decided to form a self-help group.
This innate desire led to the birth of a budget hotel in the city where vegetable meal comes at Rs 20, egg meal at Rs 28, chicken meal comes at only Rs 35 while fish meal ranges from Rs 25 to Rs 60 depending on the variety of fish.
"This venture is surely the first of its kind in the state where some like minded women in different walks of life have joined hands to form a Self-Help Group and start a hotel. Our aim is to cater to the middle and lower middle class and dish out quality food at a minimum profit," said a group member.
The hotel under the name 'Chetepute Bangaliana' with its three branches in Sealdah, Talatala and Subodh Mallick Square Park area in Central Kolkata caters to around 200 people on a daily basis. The journey started just a month back with the Kolkata Muncipal Corporation Borough VI Chairman Sanchita Mondal lending her support for getting a place on the footpath for the hotel.
Sadhan Pande, state minister for Self-Help Group was thrilled when contacted about the venture. "Our government always supports such Self-Help Groups for starting new ventures. I will do the needful so that they can get a loan at minimum interest. You ask them to contact me immediately," Pande said.
It may be mentioned that the group which presently has 22 members contacted the minister immediately after they were informed of the minister's interest, who has assured them of all support.
Infact, the Self-Help Group department has provided skill development training in a number of trades to 70 lakh women across the state. If women forms a self-help group comprising 10 members, they can avail a bank loan at a nominal interest of only 2 percent as the remaining percentage of the loan is borne by the department.

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