Siliguri, Oct. 9: To ensure marketing of items manufactured by 3.4 lakh self-help groups (SHGs), companies like Tata, BPL Solar, Emami, Reliance and ICICI have come forward to open rural business centres across Bengal.

These companies will also help SHG members hone their skills and extend financial assistance to them, officials of the state panchayat affairs and rural development department said here today.

“Many companies have already approached us with the proposal of setting up rural business hubs,” said Dilip Ghosh, a joint secretary of the department. The companies reportedly want to deal with SHGs due to certain factors like absence of middlemen and higher accountability.

“Emami and Hindustan Lever have started working with groups in Howrah and Darjeeling,” Ghosh said. Ghosh and Barun Dasgupta, another joint secretary, were here to announce the 10-day fair to be organised by Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad here from November 3 to 12.

Mani Thapa, the parishad sabhadhipati, was present at the meeting.