Shimla: The ambitions Doodh Ganga scheme
launched by Himachal Pradesh government is all set to
revolutionise the Dairy industry by covering 10,000 women Self
Help Groups (SHGs) in next three years.
The Rs 300 crore NABARD funded scheme launched in
January provides for 50 per cent interest free loan to
individuals and SHGs and 1123 cases have been approved,
official sources said.
Loans amounting Rs 22.96 crore had been sanctioned till
March, 2010 which included interest free loans of Rs 11.48
crore, they added.
Against the target to finance 3500 cases with loan
component of Rs 100 crore during 2010-11, 732 cases were
sanctioned during the first two months of current financial
year (upto May 31) and loans to the tune of Rs 13.39 crore,
including Interest Free loans amounting Rs 6.64 crore had been
advanced to the beneficiaries.
Each case consists of one beneficiary or a SHG comprising
10 members and interest free loans of Rs 50 crore would be
advanced to the beneficiaries during 2010-11.
Under the project, SHG were being provided loans for
setting up dairy units of 10 animals with a total cost of Rs 3
lakh. While the entrepreneur was required to contribute only
ten percent as margin money, 50 per cent of loan availed was
interest free.
Further, 50 per cent subsidy was being provided on
interest if the loan installments were paid regularly.
With the successful execution of "Doodh Ganga Yojana",
milk production in the state was expected to go upto 350 lakh
liter per annum, assessing average yield of 5 liter per day
per animal for 200 days in a year, supplementing the income of
poorest of the poor, an official spokesman said.
PTI
