Keonjhar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that the Odisha government will provide loan at 1 percent interest to women self help groups (SHGs).
Addressing a meeting during his one-day visit to Keonjhar district, Patnaik said the Mission Shakti programme has brought in a silent revolution in Odisha as the women in the rural areas have become the agents of socio-economic changes.
“In recognition of their efforts, the state government has decided to lighten the loan burden of the women SHGs in the state with one percent rate of interest for a maximum loan of Rs 3 lakh”, he added.
Highlighting on a slew of measures the state government has taken for the upliftment of women, the chief minister said the state government has registered ration cards, land and patta in their name.
“Besides, providing one percent discount on Stamp Duty for land registration, rice at Rs 1 per kg, providing education loan to meritorious students with 1 percent interest, crop loan to farmers with 1 percent interest are the commitments of my government for the socio-economic upliftment of women,” Patnaik said.
The Chief Minister later laid the foundation stone of the proposed government medical college and hospital. The hospital would be built at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore.
“I hope that the construction of the proposed medical college and hospital would be completed in specific time frame and the hospital will be able to provide best health care services to the people of the district,” Patnaik added.