MINISTER RANJIT DASS REVIEWS DEPARTMENTAL WORKS IN BISWANATH DISTRICT, STRESSES ON IMPROVING INCOME OF SHG MEMBERS

MINISTER RANJIT DASS REVIEWS DEPARTMENTAL WORKS IN BISWANATH DISTRICT, STRESSES ON IMPROVING INCOME OF SHG MEMBERS

Biswanath Chariali, 03 December: Assam’s cabinet minister Mr. Ranjit Kumar Dass today reviewed the works of food & civil supplies and consumer affairs (FCS&CA), panchayat and rural development (P&RD) and public health engineering (PHE) departments at a meeting held at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner.

Mr. Dass asked the P&RD department to expedite the works under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) and MGNREGA schemes and to ensure that all legitimate beneficiaries enjoy the benefits ofs the schemes. He also asked the department to identify beneficiaries for ‘Swanirbhar Nari’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Asom’ schemes so that more and more livelihood options open up in rural areas. Till date, Biswanath district has received around 30,000 applications under the two schemes.

Mr. Dass also stressed on dairy farming, mushroom and strawberry cultivation by Self-Help Group members so as to increase their income. The minister also asked the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and other officials of the P&RD department to take initiative for branding of locally grown mushroom of Biswanath district. He said branding of the locally grown mushroom will provide the commodity a distinct identity across the state and, consequently, will increase its demand. He said that the target of the department should be to ensure that each member of SHGs earn at least Rs. 8,000 per month and hence they should be impressed upon to look for innovative initiatives. There are around 1 lakh women SHG members in the district.

Reviewing the works under FCS&CA department, the minister stressed on improving paddy procurement in the district. He also asked the PHE department to expedite works under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) so that every household in the district in provided with tapped water.

Today’s meeting was also attended by Behali LAC MLA Mr. Ranjit Dutta, Biswanath LAC MLA Mr. Promod Borthakur and DC Biswanath Mr. Deba Kumar Mishra.