Centre to market products of SHGs to come up in Udupi soon

The government was doing everything to encourage women’s SHGs in the district. It was providing loans at 3 per cent interest to women’s SHGs.

Kota Srinivas Poojary, Minister for Ports and Muzrai, said on Saturday that the government had allocated Rs. 2 crore to set up a marketing centre for marketing products manufactured by Stree Shakti self-help groups (SHGs) here.

He was speaking after inaugurating a Stree Shakti Bhavan, the first floor of Bal Bhavan and an inter-district cultural exchange programme. The function was organised by the district administration and Bal Bhavan Society.

Mr. Poojary said that the centre would come up shortly. The government was doing everything to encourage women’s SHGs in the district. It was providing loans at 3 per cent interest to women’s SHGs. It was providing Rs. 50,000 for SHGs to purchase seeds for farming.

He said the State government had decided to rejuvenate the bal bhavans. Nearly 15 lakh poor children had been brought under Bhagyalakshmi Scheme. These children were also being given nutritious food at bal bhavans. The cost of education of poor children, till they attained the age of 18, was being borne by the government.

Children should also focus on extra-curricular activities. This would help them become well-rounded persons. The inter-district cultural exchange programme would help students understand the diverse culture of the State, Mr. Poojary said.