G.O.(Ms) No.151, Creation of Livelihood Parks, 2021

What the government approved

Government Order G.O.(Ms) No.151 dated 16 December 2021 approves 25 Mahakavi Bharathiyar Livelihood Parks to be established over three years, including five in the current year. The programme is intended to help Self Help Groups pursue livelihood activities collectively rather than working individually from their homes.

Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited proposed the parks to support community enterprises, collective bargaining, collective marketing and the production of better quality goods.

Land and location requirements

Mahakavi Bharathiyar Livelihood Parks are to be built on government land near major road junctions or places with high daily public movement. Each park is expected to require between 25,000 and 40,000 square feet, depending on the activities and number of participating enterprises.

Preferred sites should:

• Attract customers and tourists.
• Adjoin a National Highway, State Highway or other district road where possible.
• Be near a place of religious importance or a tourist location where suitable.
• Have good road connections to most parts of the district.

Buildings and facilities

Each Mahakavi Bharathiyar Livelihood Park may contain four to six production units with open or enclosed working areas. Planned facilities include:

• Separate storage for raw materials and finished goods.
• Product display areas, a sales depot and virtual display facilities.
• Administrative and training space, with the training centre also serving as an incubation centre.
• Food courts, parking, rest rooms, a children's play area, a small park and gazebos.
• Pathways, drinking water, drainage and toilets.
• A 20 foot road around the outer part of the park for transporting materials and goods.
• Facilities accessible to differently abled people.

The District Collector will give administrative sanction after land identification. Construction will be entrusted to the Block Panchayat using the approved standard design, while maintenance and renovation will be handled by the panchayat administration.

Who can use the parks

Self Help Group women owned enterprises with inadequate production, storage or display space may work collectively in the parks. Self Help Group artisan groups and farmer producer enterprises lacking space for raw materials or finished products may also become members.

Applications will be screened by a District Level Committee. Selection will consider market demand, product quality, production volume and appearance. Production and marketing training may be provided within the park.

Funding and operation

Construction and basic infrastructure are to be funded through convergence with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and other relevant Rural Development schemes. The approximate construction and infrastructure cost is Rs.1.25 crore. Recurring costs will be supported by contributions from participating Self Help Groups, visitor fees and available District Supply and Marketing Society funds.