Date:22/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/22/stories/2008112254500400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Chief Minister to present awards to SHGs, panchayat federations

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: To encourage self-help groups and panchayat-level federations that function well, the government every year distributes State-level Manimegalai awards to five federations and 10 SHGs and district-level awards to one federation and three SHGs.

This year the award will be distributed by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at a function to be held here on Wednesday.

According to an official release, the best five federations selected at the State level will be given Rs. 1 lakah each and the 10 SHGs Rs. 50,000 each. The federation selected at the district level will get Rs. 50,000 and the three SHGs selected at the district level will receive Rs. 30,000 each. These awards are being given based on the performance of the federations and SHGs in providing training to their members, returning of bank loans and implementation of government sponsored schemes, the release added.