Agartala, July 17: The IGDC-CREFLAT project, an Indo-German joint initiative costing around Rs.280 crore, is being implemented with the aim of strengthening the rural economy and boosting employment and skill development at the local level.

The project is currently being carried out in North Tripura and Dhalai districts.

Under this project, a total of 360 groups comprising 180 Self-Help Groups and 180 Common Interest Groups have been given seed money. Each group has received Rs.1 lakh, amounting to a total of Rs. 3 crore 60 lakh for all.

Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma said this at a programme organised for distributing seed money to Self-Help Groups, CIG/JLG loans, and driving licences to trained youths under the IGDC-CREFLAT project being implemented by the Tripura Forest Department.

The event was held today at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala.

PCCF of the Forest Department R.K. Samal attended the programme as guest of honour. Special guests present included Additional Secretary of the Transport Department Subrata Chowdhury, CEO and PD of the ELEMENT project Chaitanya Murthy, CCF Dr. K. Shashi Kumar, Dr. Honnareddy N, Dr. Wangdup Bhutia, along with officials from various departments.

Speaking at the event, the Forest Minister said that providing financial support to the 180 Self-Help Groups and 180 Common Interest Groups would help further expand the groups' income-generating activities.

He noted that driving training has also been arranged under the project to increase employment opportunities for youths. The first batch of 40 youths successfully completed the training, and they were given certificates and driving licences. A second batch of another 40 youths is currently undergoing training.