Department of Rural Development and Panchayats is planning to infuse about Rs 500 crore in rural economy to tackle the economic crisis created due to coronavirus outbreak.

Director Rural Development and Panchayats Lalit Jain said that a plan had been proposed to the state government to revive economic activity in rural areas in the wake of virus outbreak. Jain said at present 1.42 lakh families in rural areas were associated with more 18,500 self help groups created under HP Rural Livelihood Mission. These groups are functional in the state for the past seven years.

The Department of Rural Development has already involved the self help groups in fight against corona virus as women under the group have till date produced and sold 5 lakh masks, 1000 PPE kits and 1,250 litres hand sanitizer. They have also collected and distributed 10 tonne of ration.

The department plans to train women to grow kitchen gardens. There is a plan to give 10 bee keeping boxes to each self help group. Each box produces 6 to 7 litres of honey that can be sold at price of Rs 200 per litres. — TNS

The department also proposes to provide Indian breed cow to self help groups so that they can integrate them with zero budget natural farming being promoted by the state government.

This news has not been edited by Apni Kheti staff but has been published by various news feeds

Source: The Tribune