Thiruvanthapuram, July 4, 2006, Business Line

State Bank of India is teaming up with NGOs in an innovative scheme to reach housing finance to the rural poor in Kerala. The Agricultural Development Branch of the Bank at Palakkad is extending required finance to Shalom Trust, an NGO, who will on-lend to self help groups to reach funds to the rural poor, an SBI spokesman said here. Construction of 10 houses has already been completed at Kalladikode.The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, inaugurated the second project envisaging 25 houses in Palakkad at a function held in the same city on Monday. He gave away keys to owners of the 25 houses at Kalladikode. Ms Radha Unni, Chief General Manager, SBI Kerala Circle, attended. -- Our Bureau