PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Rural Development Minister Ganesh Joshi on Friday inaugurated a wayside eatery constructed under the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP) at Fedi Kimoda in the Jaunpur block of Tehri district. The facility has been developed for a women self-help group to promote women-led livelihoods and strengthen the rural economy.
Joshi said that the State government is continuously working towards women’s empowerment, livelihood enhancement and self-reliance. He stated that the achievement of making 1.65 lakh women Lakhpati Didis demonstrates that government schemes are being effectively implemented at the grassroots level. He added that under the REAP, women self-help groups are being provided with sustainable self-employment opportunities which are helping to boost economic activity in rural areas.
The minister said that the initiatives such as wayside eateries will not only generate employment for local women but also promote products and traditional food, thereby encouraging tourism in the region. He noted that such projects are creating new income sources in rural and hill areas. Congratulating the women associated with the women self help group, Joshi expressed hope that the initiative would serve as a model and inspiration for other self-help groups across the state.
During the programme, UPNL personnel also expressed their gratitude to the minister for the implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work.
The event was attended by Block Pramukh Sita Panwar, district Panchayat member Mamta, Gram Pradhan Satpal Panwar, Subhash Panwar, district development officer Mohammad Aslam, REAP Project manager Brahmakant Bhatt along with departmental officials, public representatives and women from various self-help groups.
