Scheme launched to provide entrepreneurial opportunities to Haritha Karma Sena workers
Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh inaugurated the scheme at a function held at Anthoor municipality in Kannur on Thursday (August 14, 2025), with the opening of the 'Bhoomika' organic fertilizer production and marketing unit established by the Anthoor HKS consortium.
The new initiative, part of the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP) and supported by the World Bank, is expected to benefit more than 7,000 HKS members in 93 municipalities. The programme will focus on establishing value-added enterprises under each local body's HKS consortium, with activities including cloth bag production, organic fertilizer manufacturing, scrap trading and a host of other options.
Improved living standards
The local self government will provide the enterprises with both technical and financial assistance to elevate the living standards of the HKS members and promote sustainable waste management practices. The KSWMP will extend non-repayable grants to two enterprises in each urban local body, with a total outlay of ₹24 crore earmarked for the initiative. The incubation of 93 enterprise units is already under way.
At the function, the Minister handed out financial sanction letters to 19 approved Business Development Projects from Anthoor, Attingal, Varkala, Punalur, Adoor, Cherthala, Thodupuzha, Koothattukulam, Marad, Kodungallur, Guruvayur, Vadakkancherry, Pattambi, Palakkad, Perinthalmanna, Koyilandy, Mukkam, Sulthan Bathery and Neeleswaram municipalities.
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