The Hindu 29.07.2009

Programme to tackle urban poverty

Staff Reporter

Tirupur: The Regional Directorate of Municipal Administration (RDMA) conducted an orientation programme for the members of Community Development Societies (CDS) here on Thursday to help them understand the scope of ‘Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana’ (SJSRY) in poverty alleviation in urban areas.

Inaugurating the event, Mayor K. Selvaraj said that CDS members who got trained would in turn disseminate the salient features of the SJSRY to the urban poor and help them set up self employment ventures using the financial assistance earmarked under the scheme.

Explaining the salient features of the scheme, J. Radhakrishnan, Assistant Project Officer, RDMA, said that subsidy assistance to the tune of 15 percent of the project cost, subjected to a maximum of Rs 7,500, would be extended to the people living below poverty line and studied up to Standard IX, for setting up micro enterprises related to service and manufacturing sectors or petty business.

“The beneficiary should contribute five percent of the project cost as margin money,” he added.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said that adequate emphasis would be given under the scheme towards development of women and children from poor families in urban areas by encouraging them to take up economic activities suited to their skills and aptitude.

City Health Officer Jawarharlal and Corporation Commissioner R. Jayalakshmi were present.

As many as 150 women members of nine CDS functioning in the city attended the training.