Andhra Pradesh

Union Minister lauds women SHGs

TIRMALAPUR (NIZAMABAD Dt.): Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh on Friday asserted that a radical socio economic change was being witnessed in the State through women self help groups and there would be a total change in next five six years.

Interacting with the members of SHGs and leaders of Village Organisation (VO) at this remote village on Maharashtra border, he said about 80 lakh women were getting benefit under 25 paise interest rate scheme. “This scheme is not there in any other State. It is being implemented in Andhra Pradesh alone”, he said.

“Self help means empowering yourself through your thrift group activities. Government is only a facilitator. You are the hope of the State. In years to come you will be able to contest even elections”, he told them.

He said women groups, village organisations, mandal samakhyas and district samakhyas were instrumental in bringing about a change. They transformed themselves from mere saving of money to doing business, purchasing grains and distribution of pensions. It was a most welcome development.

“I have suggested to the Chief Minister to authorise the V.Os to have control over primary health centres. In Adilabad district I have seen some of the PHCs not functioning properly”, he said.

Mr. Ramesh was happy as the women members actively responded to his queries on group activities and shared their experiences.

In this question and answer session the Bhu Bharati Commissioner Vinode Kumar Agarwal narrated about the benefits of the new land survey.

He said all doubts of rural people over the Integrated Land Survey Information (Bhu Bharati) system would be cleared.

The local MLA Bajireddy Goverdhan on the suggestion of Mr. Jairam Ramesh agreed to sanction Rs.2 lakh from his Legislator’s fund for construction of a pucca building for Village Organisation.

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