Chandigarh, May 21:- Commissioner and Secretary, Finance Department, Haryana and Member, Board of Directors, NABARD CG Rajni Kanthan said that the government is going to take a big step towards strengthening the rural economy and making women self-reliant. Under this, special one-day special sale drives and fairs will be organized every month for direct sale of the products of Self Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organizations supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) at any suitable place at all the district headquarters of Haryana.
Commissioner and Secretary CG Rajni Kanthan were reviewing this action plan in a meeting held through video conferencing on Thursday. A complete outline of the administrative preparations for the implementation of these schemes in the district was presented. He said that this initiative will prove to be a milestone in transforming the economic empowerment of the rural community and especially the livelihood of women into a sustainable and strong model as per the vision of the Chief Minister.
He said that NABARD has been a strong partner in the development of Haryana for the last four decades, having provided financial assistance of about Rs. 7,840 crore to the state in the last five years alone under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund. In addition, grant assistance of more than Rs. 14.64 crore has been provided for skill development, marketing, exhibitions and geographical indication support in rural areas.
He said that the main objective of this campaign is to overcome the biggest challenges faced by the members of Self Help Groups and FPOs. The district administration should make full preparations to implement this public interest scheme at the ground level. He said that suitable and prime locations should be selected at the district level where the traffic of the general public is maximum, so that the rural artisans and farmers who come to these fairs can get maximum customers.
 He said that to run this entire system smoothly, the District Development Manager of NABARD has been nominated as the Nodal Officer in each district, who will handle all the logistical arrangements for every event in collaboration with the district administration.
 Citizens will make their valuable contribution in strengthening rural livelihoods by visiting these monthly fairs and purchasing local products.