Date:08/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/08/stories/2004020802530300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Women SHGs told to be self-reliant

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, FEB. 7. Four mega bank-linkage programmes were held in the district today to disburse Rs. 4.92 crores revolving fund to the 1,778 women self-help groups. The camps were held at Anantapur, Kadiri, Hindupur and Madakasira.

Speaking at the programme held here the district Collector, Y.V. Anuradha, asked the women SHGs to attain self-reliance by conducting the group activities with discipline. This would help boost the confidence of banks on the SHGs, she stated.

Though the Government had given a target of 7,900 groups for giving revolving fund this year in the district, the target was extended to 10,000 keeping in view the large number of groups having conducting the thrift activity successfully for more than six months, she explained.

She thanked bankers for their positive cooperation in achieving the target. She stated that Rs. 1.86 crores assistance was already given to 516 groups and another 289 groups would be extended the assistance of Rs. 67 lakhs at a camp to be conducted at Gorantla on February 9.

The Collector said the Commissioner of Women Empowerment had assured to release Rs. 2 crores required for extending the financial assistance to the increased target of 2,000 groups. She also complimented the SHGs for achieving 90 per cent repayment rate in spite of the severe drought conditions.

Mrs. Anuradha explained that the groups would get 50 per cent interest rebate on the loans taken after January 1 this year. She asked the women SHGs to contact her directly if they had any problems. The Chairman of Sree Anantha Grameena Bank, Parthasarathi, said they had given an assistance of about Rs. 8 crores to 4,450 groups so far.

The bank had disbursed Rs. 1.64 crores to 582 groups this year. The Chief Manager of Syndicate Bank, Ramanujam, said they had extended assistance to 1,100 groups this year out of a target of 1,238 groups.

The Project Director of DRDA and Velugu, I. Samuel Anandkumar, the Chief Manager of Andhra Bank, Shastri, and the Chief Manager of State Bank of India, Ibrahim, also participated. The Collector handed over the cheques of revolving funds to the SHGs later.