'Kudumbasree' in 241 more panchayats

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 17. The Government has decided to extend coverage of the "Kudumbasree" project, aimed at poverty alleviation through people's participation, to 241 panchayats. At present, the scheme is being implemented in 58 urban local bodies.

The Local Administration Minister, Mr. Paloly Mohammedkutti, told a press conference here today that the Government has also decided to merge the Community Based Nutrition Programme (CBNP), being implemented in 96 village panchayats in Malappuram district with the "Kudumbasree" project. With this, the total number of panchayats covered by the project would go up to 337, he said.

Mr. Mohammedkutti said the Government proposed to form 60,200 Neighbourhood Groups of women belonging to economically weak families in the State under the project. As many as 7,538 Neighbourhood Groups have been constituted in the 58 urban local bodies where the "Kudumbasree" project is under implementation. These Neighbourhood Groups have mobilised over Rs. 10 crores through thrift savings. Of this, about Rs. 6 crores has been disbursed as credit to the members.

In Malappuram alone, 96 panchayat-level Community Development Societies (CDS) have mobilised Rs. 2.28 crores. The objective is to develop the CDS into a 24-hour information banking mechanism of the poor women. Already, 5,027 individual and 156 group enterprises have been started under the project. Among these are 47 computer units, each employing 10 women each, in 47 towns. About 50 catering units have also been started.

Yet another initiative forming part of "Kudumbasree" is "micro- contracting and women's building construction unit". A 15-member team of women has already begun functioning in Vadakara. Such groups would take up construction of small roads, footpaths, drains and culverts. A Direct Marketing Network is also on the anvil to find market for products manufactured by the micro- enterprises.

Hundred women selected from among economically weaker families in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode have been given training in direct marketing. In the State capital, they have begun marketing "Sabari" tea in association with the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation and Milma products. The objective is to create a network to market products manufactured by "Kudumbasree" projects.

During the current year, seven types of micro-enterprises such as manufacture of native sweet varieties, soaps and paper bags, production and marketing of seeds and saplings, courier service, tuition centres and tender coconut parlours have been undertaken. Forty units would be set up under each category during the current year, the Minister said.

The "Kudumbasree" project executive director, Mr. T.K. Jose, who was also present, said it is also proposed to start Remedial Education Centres in select areas to assist children of economically weaker families in their studies. A random survey has indicated that there are about 20,000 SSLC students from families covered by the project.

In addition, there are about 10,000 children who could not make it in this year's SSLC examination. The Remedial Education Centres would help these children to clear the SSLC examination in March, 2001. The first such centre would be opened at the Kamaleswaram High School in the capital city in July, he said.

The "Kudumbasree" project southern regional director, Mr. Nanda Kumar, was also present at the press conference.

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Section  : Southern States
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