Ek Bigha Scheme launched to boost rural livelihood
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About the initiative
-1.5 lakh women can register under scheme
-Will be provided Rs 198 per day to grow vegetables in their land
-Will also be provided free seed and fertilisers
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, May 25
TheEk Bigha Scheme launched by the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department of Himachal Pradesh carries hope for thousands of households in Himachal that have lost their livelihood due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The department aims at providing an income of Rs 198 per day to about 1.5 lakh households in Himachal for tilling and growing vegetables on their own land.
Lalit Jain, Director, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department, while talking to The Tribune said the department had proposed the scheme that had been accepted by the government.
He said all women associated with self help groups in the state could register themselves under the scheme. The scheme, which was launched three days ago, already has 427 women registered under the scheme, including 64 women from Kangra, 30 from Chamba and nine from Una.
Those registered will be provided Rs 198 per day for growing vegetables on their land. They will also be provided seed and fertilisers for the purpose. The vegetables generated under the scheme can be retained for their personal use or sold in market. “Women can roughly generate vegetables worth 10,000 per month. Besides, they will also be provided Rs 198 per day. This will boost the income of rural households and help them overcome financial distress caused due to the pandemic, Jain said.
He said the scheme had been proposed to be continued for a year.
He said the money would be transferred directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries.
“We have ensured that there is no formality or tough eligibility under the scheme,” said Jain.
