Development & Panchayat Minister inaugurates Saras Mela at Panchkula

Panchkula, March 4

The Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Devendra Babli, inaugurated the Saras Mela-2024 on Monday. He was the chief guest on the occasion at the Parade Ground in Sector 5 at Panchkula. He said various self-help groups from across the country have gathered at the mela to exhibit and sell their products, adding that about 400 women artisans have set up over 200 stalls.

Babli said the organisation of the Saras Mela at Panchkula is a wonderful confluence of rural and urban arrangements, adding that such fairs provide women the opportunity to become financially empowered. He added the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission has covered 143 blocks in all the districts of the state. “Under this mission, 6,05,914 families have been organised into 58,985 self-help groups (SHGs), and the state government is providing financial assistance to these groups. A total of Rs 60.59 crore has been given to 49,419 SHGs as a revolving fund, Rs 341.58 crore to 28,343 SHGs as a community investment fund, and Rs 1093.22 crore as a bank loan to 57,358 SHGs.