Date:19/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031958050600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Nine SHGs to get award

Staff Reporter

PUDUKOTTAI: Honouring women members of self-help groups formed the highlight of the International Women’s Day organised by the Pudukottai District Central Cooperative Bank here recently.

The groups were identified for the best prize for the year 2007-08 in recognition of their performance for the past several years. According to Bank Joint Registrar and Special Officer T. Ramanidevi, in all nine SHGs were identified for the above year for the award. The norms included prompt repayment of the dues, proper utilisation of the revolving fund and efficiency in income generation activities.

The SHGs were selected at the rate of one for each branch identified by the bank. They are: Nallayiamman SHG (promoted by Gandarvakottai branch of the bank); Kamarajar SHG (Arimalam branch); Sandanam branch (Keeramangalam branch); Jhanshirani-Saraswathi SHG (Viralimalai branch); Bharathi SHG (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Bank -PACB, Alavayal); Aavarampoo SHG (Melathaniam PACB); Ulaganachiamman SHG (Malaikudipatti PACB); Indira SHG (Keeranur branch); and Sakthi SHG (Tirugokarnam branch).

The official said that all the SHGs had registered record profit in the past years through proper utilisation of direct lending as well as revolving fund sanctioned by the bank.

The Nallayiamman SHG, for instance, started in April 2003 had optimally utilised the revolving fund of Rs. 25,000 for making coir. The group got a direct loan of Rs. 1.40 lakh in December 2006 and was prompt in repaying the dues along with interest. The outstanding amount now was only Rs. 74,000, she said.

Each group was honoured with a shield.

The bank also organised several competitions for identifying talents of women students of colleges. Government Arts College for Women, Pudukottai, made a clean sweep by winning the first prizes in the poetry, singing and elocution competitions. The first prize in poetry competition went to Revathi, while A. Anubarathi and A. Alamelu won the first prize in the singing and elocution competition respectively.