Gujarat CM inaugurates 7th 'Garib Kalyan Mela'

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel today kick started the seventh edition of the state- sponsored initiative "Garib Kalyan Mela" from Jamnagar city.

While inaugurating the event, aimed at delivering government schemes' benefits to poor, Patel along with other ministers distributed various articles and benefits worth Rs 5.80 crores to 10,559 beneficiaries.

Patel also announced the commencement of 1,908 public works worth Rs 46.62 crores for Jamnagar city under the Chief Minister Urban Development Scheme, said an official statement.

Speaking at the occasion, Patel said that Garib Kalyan Mela, which began in 2009, is a unique initiative of Gujarat government for economic empowerment of poor.

She claimed that direct benefits of Rs 12,000 crores were accorded to underprivileged in the last six editions. She added that 81 lakh poor have benefited through 1,098 Garib Kalyan Melas till now.

In the seventh edition, the state government has planned to give away benefits worth Rs 1,000 crores to 10 lakh poor through 127 Garib Kalyan Melas to be organised across the state, said Patel.

Patel today announced that fairs will be organised ahead of "Navratri" and Diwali on the lines of "Rakhi Melas" organized by the state government recently to facilitate poor women in selling Rakhis ahead of Raksha Bandhan festival.

Patel added that government will provide stalls to poor artisans at such fairs. She also announced to make such fairs a regular affair in years to come.