Kochi, (PTI): Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram, would officially inaugurate on February 2 the 'Janasree Sustainable Development Mission', a non-governmental initiative which helps launch small and mini-enterprises by making micro-credit available, among other things.

The initiative has been launched by a group of people, headed by Congress leader and former Kerala minister, M M Hassan.

The initiative has plans to have 10 lakh members through 50,000 units, Hassan told reporters here Monday. Chidambaram would also launch Janasree's 'Micro Finance Summit.'

Making micro-credit available, launching small and mini enterprises to create jobs and starting Community Insurance Schemes would be some of the activities of Janasree, Hassan, who is the chairman of the venture, said.

He said Gandhian principles would be the ideological foundation of the movement. Unlike other self-help ventures like the 'Kudumbashree,' whose membership was limited to below poverty line women, Janasree would enroll both men and women and people from all income categories, he said.

'Janasree' is not a substitute for the'Kudumbashree' of the state government,he said, adding it is a non-governmental initiative and anyone could become a member.