“More than 400 Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed of urban poor women by the Local Bodies Department has been active in the state since the spread of Coronavirus which are playing an instrumental role in providing a healing touch to the public by operating their community kitchens, preparing food, making medically viable masks and gloves.” It has been disclosed by Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Local Bodies Minister in a press statement released here today.The Minister said that what could be more encouraging news in this depressing time than the fact that SHGs mainly formed of urban poor women have been working day and night to prepare the essential items like masks, gloves and cooked food, biscuits, achar etc. He said that in this lockdown period Urban Local Bodies has been successful in motivating these SHGs to render their services for the social cause, which would also help them to substantiate their income. The Minister said that SHGs have been getting advance orders from the Government as well as from the private institutions for their masks at competitive rate of Rs. 20 to 25 per mask. He said that these masks are medically viable because these have been prepared as per the guidelines and the consultation provided by the Health Department.The Minister informed that at present out of the total 6200 SHGs formed by the department only 400 are active. He said the department has also been encouraging other SHGs to use their free time and skills for the service of the humanity. He said that by activating other SHGs the department would use their services for preparing 15 lakh masks and 20 thousands gloves which would be distributed to the safai sewaks and poor. Mr. Brahm Mohindra added that these SHGs have been formed under Punjab Urban Livelihood Mission by Department of Local Government. He said that after 3 month of formation the department give them Rs. 10,000 per SHG as Revolving Fund for inter lending purpose. He said these SHGs have been situated at various locations in Punjab. He said that concerned ULB at periodic end monitor the smooth functioning of these SHGs.