Date:04/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/04/stories/2005010404820500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Women SHG members show the way

By Our Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR, JAN. 3. Women's Self-Help Group (SHG) members here have set an example by successfully running the DWCRA canteen in the Collectorate complex in the town.

The former Collector, Debabrata Kantha, had proposed setting up a DWCRA canteen on the Collectorate premises to promote the self-help movement in the district. Accordingly, the DRDA constructed the canteen building on the premises and leased it out to an SHG group, but met with little success.

Later, the DRDA project director, Chiranjeevulu, after inspecting the canteen, allocated some funds for the modernisation of the existing building with additional infrastructure, etc and handed it over to the Padmavathi Swashakthi Sangham of the town.

Gains popularity

The Sri Satavahana Grameena Bank provided a loan of Rs 1 lakh to the SHG for operating the canteen. Women procured utensils and other material and started the canteen after it was inaugurated by the Minister for Endowments, M Satyanarayan Rao, on August 15, 2004. Initially, the canteen did not attract many customers, but it slowly gained popularity after delicious food started being served there and eventually became a hit with heavy rush. Food prepared in the canteen is being served at all Government functions, training classes and workshops, etc.

The Padmavathi Swashakthi Sangham leader, J Sridevi, said that when the DRDA project director told them about the operation of the canteen they were a little hesitant, as they did not have experience.

However, in order to utilise the opportunity all the 12 SHG members went to the Warangal Collectorate complex where the same kind of canteen was being run and secured confidence.

She said that the canteen was a great success and they were unable to cope with the growing demand. She said that they were repaying the loan at the rate of Rs 5,000 per month to the bank and also earning revenue of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month after having food in the canteen.

The group members are also operating a xerox centre on the same premises. The women's group aims to increase their sales and expand activities by securing bulk party orders and serving new varieties of dishes and starting a parcel service.