Recreation centre opened at Oussudu

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, OCT. 3. A Rs. 5-lakh community recreation centre was inaugurated by Pondicherry's Social Welfare Minister, Mr. A. Kasilingam, at Koodapakkampet today, as part of the Rural Development Week celebrations.

The Minister said various schemes for community development including the centrally-sponsored programmes such as the Employment Assurance Scheme were aimed at improving the lot of the poor. Employment opportunities were being created for the rural poor by promotion of infrastructural facilities. As many as 160 madhar sangams and 107 youth clubs were given incentives to the tune of Rs.50,000 this year.

Seven self-help groups were given assistance to the tune of Rs.45,000 in the form of national savings certificates, and 91 persons were covered under the scheme. This year, 77 self- help groups were formed. A group of 92 persons would be given Rs. 46,000 in the form of national savings certificates. Smokeless chulahs would be set up for 750 families this year.

Mrs. Satbir Silas, Project Director, DRDA, and Secretary, Community Development, said developmental activities were promoted in the rural areas for the benefit of the villagers.

Training programme

Mr. Kasilingam urged the volunteers of the self-help groups to acquaint themselves with various avenues available for their betterment.

Releasing a newsletter of the District Rural Development Agency at a function, he said the self-help groups had to play an important role in alleviating the sufferings of the rural people.

Members of 132 self-help groups were covered under the special training programme. Members of 47 groups that were set up six months ago were exposed to various projects.

Mrs. Satbir Silas, Project Director, DRDA, received the first copy.

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