It is utmost important for ensuring economic revival at village household level during the post COVID-19 pandemic in which Rural Development Department has a vital role to play. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the presentation made by Director Rural Development Lalit Jain on ‘Economic Stimulus Package to Help Rural Poor’ here today.Chief Minister said that the Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission has taken initiative to help corona warriors by manufacturing about five lakh masks and about 1000 Personal Protective Equipment kits. He said that in addition to this over 1250 litres hand sanitizer was also produced under the Mission.Jai Ram Thakur said that several initiatives have been proposed under the Mission which would not only revive the rural economy in post corona pandemic but also provide economic stability to the rural population. He said that under one such scheme ‘Mahila Kissans’ would be trained to develop Backyard Kitchen Garden in nearly one bigha of land for which they would be provided seasonal vegetable seed kits and fruits tree sapling by Agriculture and Horticulture Departments. Similarly 10 boxes of beehives would be provided to trained women Self Help Groups and honey produced would be sold through Him Ira Shops, he added.
Chief Minister said that under the proposed 'One Cow Scheme' Indian breed cows would be provided to poor Mahila Kissans of SHG women at highly subsidies rates. This scheme would be started in convergence with the Animal Husbandry Department.Jai Ram Thakur said that State Government was also contemplating the State Rural Livelihood Mission to tie up with Education Department to supply school uniforms. He said that these uniforms could be stitched by women Self Help Groups for which trained tailoring teachers would be provided to these SHGs. Chief Minister said that new initiatives would also be taken under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). He said that under the UNNATI Project atleast one member from the families of such persons who have completed 100 days employment under MGNREGS would be provided necessary training to upscale their skill.Director Rural Development Lalit Jain while making the presentation apprised the Chief Minister regarding salient features of all these proposed schemes which were bound to transform the rural economy.Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar, Secretary Rural Development Dr. R.N. Batta, Engineer in Chief Jal Shakti Vibhag Naveen Puri and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.