New Delhi, Mar 14 (KNN) Aiming at villager’s empowerment under various self-Help Groups (SHGs) and improving their economic condition, North 24-Praganas district administration has decided to link 23,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) with banks.

According to the sources, around 19,000 SHGs and bank credit linkages are about to complete while 4,000 new linkages are yet to be done in district administration.

The scheme has got the momentum when Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee instructed the administrative officials to ensure that more number of SHGs get linked to Banks for loans.

She also emphasized on the formation of various SHGs in the villages in order to make rural youth self-reliant.

Distribution of Kishan Credit Cards (KCC) among 1.69 lakh people across the district has also been planned by the district.

As per the sources information, more than 1 lakh KCCs have already been distributed, while the rest will be covered by the end of this year.

“The average credit limit for each individual is around Rs 43,000” official said.

In this regard, district administration maintaining a touch base with banks and financial institutions so that farmers are not denied loans.

Also, there were some complaints regarding the unsatisfactory distribution of KCCs and the credit linkages and there was a delay in the whole process.

Trinamool Congress government requested the various financial institutions to increase the SHGs credit linkages and also requested them to provide loans to more farmers.

Further, district administration has been instructed to ensure that products made by the artisans under various clusters should be sold at various Kishan Bazars that have been set up in the districts.

In this direction, nine Kishan Bazars have been completed where the products prepared by artisans can be accommodated under various SHGs.

Furthers district administration is planning to incorporate SHGs with Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.