Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade on Thursday inaugurated the 10,001st self-help group here. The Dharmasthala Rural Development Scheme, which spread its activities to Hassan in 2013-14, had so far set up 10,000 self-help groups in the district. Janata Dal (Secular) supremo and MP H.D. Deve Gowda presided over the inaugural function.
The scheme helps self-help groups take up self-employment with the help of Corporation Bank. So far, the groups have saved Rs.4.79 crore. The organisation has set a target of providing Rs.165 crore worth loans to eligible beneficiaries in the district by March 2015. Under the scheme, 254 rural service centres have been opened in the district. As many as 181 people have been working full-time for the scheme.
Mr. Veerendra Heggade, addressing the members of the groups, said the scheme intended to help poor people increase their earning capacity. “As man’s needs are increasing, people have to take up self-employment to increase their income,” he said. The scheme encourages people to take up agriculture and dairy activities that could increase family income.
