STAFF REPORTER
SHILLONG:
The office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District held a SHG mela-cum-financial literacy camp at Tirot Sing Memorial Secondary School, Mawkdok under Khatarshnong – Laitkroh C&RD Block, on Monday as part of the North East Festival 2022 and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The inaugural programme was attended by Gavin M Mylliem, MLA as the chief guest and I Laloo, DC East Khasi Hills, as the guest of honour.
In his inaugural address, Mylliem said that the purpose of the programme is to provide a platform for the SHGs in promoting and showcasing their unique products and also to interact with fellow SHGs in exchange of knowledge and ideas among themselves. He said that the Khatarshnong – Laitkroh Block attracts a large number of tourists and the SHGs should take full advantage of the tourist footfall by using unique features and techniques such as qualitative packaging and branding for a sustainable livelihood and development.
Mylliem urged the people to come forward and enroll themselves for Aadhaar as it is beneficial in availing various schemes from the government. He also enlightened the gathering to take an active part in the financial literacy camp in order to avail benefits in the form of financial aids, interest-free loans, etc.
During the programme, the chief guest and the guest of honour distributed cheques amounting to Rs 10 lakh to 10 village organisations (VOs) under the Vulnerability Reduction Fund and Rs 22.5 lakh to 30 SHGs and also felicitated Anganwadi workers who were on Covid-19 duty.
Others who were present included D Hynniewta, Project Director DRDA, L Kynjing, ADC I/c Sohra Civil Sub Division, P S Tynsong, BDO Khatarshnong – Laitkroh C&RD Block, R Kynta, COO, MSRLS among others.