Hyderabad, February 15: As part of the Government’s efforts to help the poorest of the poor, the World Bank has sanctioned Rs 500 crore (one million dollars) for the second phase of the Poverty Eradication Programme.
The funds will be utilised in agriculture and other allied sectors for eradication of poverty during the next financial year.
A delegation of experts from the World Bank led by Paramesh Shah Saturday called on Chief Minister K Rosaiah and discussed over the implementation of the Poverty Eradication Programme in the State. The delegation which toured the State from February 9 to 10, expressed their satisfaction over implementation of the programme.
They also assured to provide another Rs 1,000 crore towards the Poverty Eradication Programme in the third phase following a request made by the Government.
Rural Development Minister V Vasantha Kumar told reporters that the proposals for the third phase of Poverty Eradication Programme are being prepared by the officials and will be ready by April end. “The proposals will be sent to the Centre which will forward them again to the World Bank.
The focus of phase-III programme will be on uplift of women who are members of t h e Se l f -He l p Groups (SH Gs),’’ he said. The aim is to achieve an annual income of Rs 1 lakh per SH G household on a sustainable basis.
Meanwhile, about 43 lakh women of SHGs registered themselves under the YSR Abhayahastham scheme since its launch in November last year. About four lakh women who are aged above 60 years, have become eligible to receive a minimum pension of Rs 500 each.
Vasanth Kumar said the response for the scheme is satisfying.
Further, the Chief Minister directed the officials to release Rs 100 crore towards the Pavala Vaddi scheme. The Central Government is examining the proposal of the State Government to declare Pavala Vaddi scheme as a national scheme.
–Agencies