HT Bureau
SHILLONG, Sept 24: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday distributed 2000 piglets for 500 beneficiaries of ‘PROGRESS’ – a flagship initiative of the Government under Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme.
Attending the mega event at Raksamgre organised to celebrate the success of biggest farmers welfare programme ‘FOCUS’ and roll out of Focus + under Raksamgre Sub-Division in West Garo Hills, the chief minister along with other dignitaries handed over piglets to select beneficiaries, cheque to Producer Groups and FOCUS + cards.
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He also distributed financial assistance to several youth organisations under the ‘YESS Meghalaya’ programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that through the FOCUS programme and FOCUS + the Government envisages to reach out to every rural farming household in the State.
He informed that Government through several welfare programmes for the farming communities has been able to ensure that opportunities were given to the farmers to avail the benefits of the programmes and ensure sustained livelihood.
He told the gathering that in the last one and half year 25,000 Producer Groups (PGs) were formed in the State under FOCUS programme and more than 125 cr have already been disbursed to such groups.
Clarifying on the misconception that the funds given to PGs were loan, the chief minister said that it is purely financial aid to leverage farming and allied activities.
Through FOCUS, cheques of Rs. 33.90 Lakhs were given to Farmer Producer Groups. Individual producers also received funds today under FOCUS+. Both schemes will give farming households the financial advantage of Rs. 10,000.
In the programme the women-led Self Help Groups were given Community Investment Fund. Five Village Organisations were given Rs. 5.80 Lakhs. Also, 21 youth groups were given cheques worth a total Rs. 9 Lakhs under the YESS programme.
Foundation laid for Raksamgre Sub-Division
During the programme, the chief minister also laid foundation for the new building of Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division, which will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 cr. He said that the creation of the new building will ensure that the civil sub-division functions properly and delivers public services.
School buildings inaugurated
During the day-long programme, he also inaugurated two new school buildings under Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division constructed under Asian Development Bank’s Supporting Human Capital Development Projects in Meghalaya. The schools are Pedaldoba Govt Aided Secondary School and Raksamgre Higher Secondary School.
