Chandigarh, 23 December- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal has directed to take effective steps to further empower Self-Help Groups. The Chief Minister was addressing the State-level review meeting of Disha Committee in Chandigarh here today.

He said that members of Self-Help Groups should start a lucurative business together so that every member of the group is able to generate income.  Elaborating on it further he said that each member of the Self-Help Groups should be given a monthly income of Rs 5,000 atleast with the objective of making the Self-Help Group successful.  He further asked the officers concerned to appoint a separate officer for the implementation of this Scheme.

He directed the officers of the concerned Department to create 25,000 new job cards so as to provide employment to 1 lakh people in the State under MNREGA.  He also asked to formulate a plan for conducting social audit of MNREGA scheme. It was also apprised in the meeting that under the NREGA Scheme last year an amount of Rs 388 crore were spent whereas this year despite COVID situation an amount of Rs 621 crore were spent. Also, last year 3.64 workers were given work under the NREGA Scheme while this year 5.62 workers have been given work.

The Chief Minister said that a micro irrigation scheme will be started under Har Khet Ko Paani Scheme in Bhiwani, Mahendergarh and Rewari districts from January 1, 2021.  This will immensly benefit the farmers of these districts.  Later, this scheme will be implemented in other districts of Southern Haryana as well.

Speaking on simplifying the Fasal Bima Yojana, the Chief Minister said that the Meri Faisal, Mera Byora portal will be effective in this regard as farmers are given accurate information about their crops. Also, the farmers get proper compensation in case of any crop damage.  Thereafter, the Chief Minister asked to formulate a plan to further simplify the mutation process.

He also asked to make plan regarding utilising the Mining Fund under the Shivdham scheme.  The Chief Minister said that under this, cremation grounds, sheds in the cemetery, boundary walls, paths and water arrangements should be made.

During the review of the Public Distribution System Scheme, it was informed that under the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme, ration was distributed to 744 families of other states in Haryana, which is the highest among all states in the country.

The Chief Minister was also apprised in the meeting that 464 villages of the state do not have banks.  On this, the Chief Minister said that officers should take necessary action to provide banking facility in every village.

It was informed at the meeting that under the Swachh Bharat Mission Scheme, 413 villages have become ODF Plus against the target of 319 villages, meeting the standards set by the Centre in the category of ODF Plus.  The plans of several other departments were also reviewed in the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dushyant Chautala, Chief Secretary, Mr. Vijai Vardhan, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Dhesi and Principal Secretary Rural Development Department, Mr. Sudhir Rajpal, Director of the Department Dr. Hardeep Singh and senior officials of several departments.