“The policy of the present government is to support self-help groups (SHGs) such as Kudumbasree and Janasree,” Rural Development and Registration Minister K C Joseph told reporters here the other day. Whether financial aid should be given to these groups or not is based on evaluation of their work, he added. Alleviating the gravity of the Opposition charges that the present government was keen on helping Janasree more than Kudumbasree, he said Janasree had presented valid project reports with viable propositions.
Any such group, presenting such feasible projects with valid reports, can apply for financial aid, and the government would extend full support to them. It will not be based on any party dispositions, he said.
He added that the previous government had heavily politicised the working of Kudumbasree and the opposition doubted whether this government is also moving in the same direction on Janasree.
Regarding his reaction on the appointment of a party protege of the last government to the highest seat of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishath, he said that there was truth in it; the appointment was actually prompted by certain pressures.