Mangalore, Apr 7: The JD(S)-BJP coalition government in Karnataka proposes to form 25,000 new Stree Shakti Self Help Groups (SHGs), which have brought revolutionary changes in the rural areas, this fiscal, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said.

Inaugurating a meeting of SHG members near here yesterday, he said these SHGs had enabled the rural women to become economically empowered. ''If our women have become strong socially, economically and self-reliant, it is mainly due to the Stree Shakti SHGs,'' he added.

Mr Yediyurappa said the Government had planned to set up a marketing stall in every district for marketing the products of the Stree Shakti SHGs.

Later speaking at a function organised by the Central Arecanut Marketing and Processing Cooperative, he said the Government was committed to protect the interests of arecanut growers in the State.

Noting there was immense scope for investments in the State, he said the Government was ready to provide all required infrastructural facilities to the investors as there was no dearth of funds. ''I will undertake an overseas tour from April 21 to woo investors,'' Mr Yediyurappa said.



UNI