THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Kudumbashree Mission is set to digitise the functioning of its Neighbourhood groups (Ayalkootams) and the information will be available at the fingertips of its members. It forms part of the central government rural development and micro-credit innovation scheme. The pilot project will begin with the digitisation of 11,600 Ayalkootams in Kasaragod district

Of the Rs 1 crore set aside by the government for the scheme, Kudumbashree has got approval for the first instalment of Rs 24 lakh. Supported by the central government and National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Kudumbashree digitisation of Ayalkootams is aimed at its effective and transparent functioning of micro-credit enterprises. With that, each Ayalkootam's bank account, savings, loans and members' personal details, basic amenities and other details will be available online

Through the implementation of the scheme, each Ayalkootam member can register their functions, record their performance and improve upon it. Further it will help banks assess the Kudumbashree members' thrift deposits and their ability to repay loans on time. Based on that banks can offer loans and it will be benefit the Ayalkootam members in a district. Once the pilot project in 11,600 Ayalkootams of Kasaragod is successful, the scheme will be extended to all other districts, Kudumbashree officials said.

The trained animators under the auspices of NABARD will collect the information relating to Ayalkootams for digitisation and will train the Ayalkootam members. As part of the digitisation scheme, the Ayalkootam members will be offered Tablets to register the information online. The two-day training for the Ayalkootam members at Kasaragod will conclude today, Kudumbashree officials said.