Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today directed strict compliance of government directive of allocating 30% job orders by various departments for members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the state.
She also directed raising the financial limits of SHGs from present Rs 60 lakhs to Rs 1 crore besides corresponding enhancements.
Chairing a meeting to review the status of SHGs, the CM asked for making necessary amendments in the guidelines for SHGs to make them compliant with the needs of the day and the requirements of individual departments.
She specifically asked for engaging the SHGs in the maintenance and upkeep of various assets, facilities and machinery put in the government, particularly health department.
Minister for finance Altaf Bukhari was present in the meeting.
Mehbooba Mufti expressed displeasure in respect of some departments which have not made the outlined allocations for the SHGs while tendering out their works. She asked all the departments to revisit their approach in this regard and involve these young technocrats in carrying out various jobs and works being executed by them.
In a significant direction, the CM asked the JK Bank to come up with a customised scheme within 10 days to provide financial support to these young entrepreneurs so that they don’t lag behind for want of credit availability.
She also directed undertaking capacity building of these SHGs by respective departments so that they are able to deliver effectively in tune with the requirements of the individual departments.
The meeting was informed that by and large the SHGs have exhibited satisfactory performance in terms of quality of works undertaken by them.