Date:15/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/15/stories/2008111560410500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Local Administration Minister inaugurates Vatsalya Mela

Special Correspondent

PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI

HANDCRAFTED: Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin looking at one of the creations at ‘Vatsalya Mela 2008,’ at Valluvar Kottam on Friday. —

CHENNAI: Each district in the State will receive Rs. 2 lakh for providing facilities to hold exhibitions by self-help groups at local festivals, said Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin here on Friday. Inaugurating ‘Vatsalya Mela 2008,’ an exhibition-cum-sale of products made by SHGs in six districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai, Mr. Stalin said the fund had been allotted in the 2008-09 budget with the aim of encouraging the SHGs to improve their performance.

Commercial complexes on the lines of those set up in each district would be built in 16 more places at a cost of Rs. 15 lakh. So far, products worth over Rs. 27 crore had been sold by the SHGs, with products worth Rs. 68.40 lakh being sold in 2007-08 alone, Mr. Stalin said.

The SHGs in the State were successful in procuring loans from nationalised banks because they repaid them promptly. This ensured that the nationalised banks continued to provide loans unlike in other States where the record of SHGs was not as impressive, he told the gathered women.

At the three-day exhibition inaugurated at Valluvar Kottam, products on sale include terracotta items, besides decorative pieces made from papier mache, wax, paper and jute. There are also glass, leather and wood products.

About 50 stalls have been put up on the venue. The Minister distributed prizes to the winners of competitions held for children below the age of five as part of Children’s Day. Social Welfare Minister Geetha Jeevan, Social Welfare Board chairperson Salma and Chennai Corporation Mayor M. Subramanian participated.

It will be on from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.