The Hindu 22.03.2010
Rs. 2.38 crore given as revolving fund to SHGs
Staff Reporter
| Rs. 1.19 crore given as economic development assistance |
Welfare measures:Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napoleon (fourth from right), disbursing credit to women self-help group members in Karur on Saturday. Collector J. Uma Maheswari is also seen.
KARUR: Gone are the days when women were confined to the dark interiors of kitchen. They are now in the forefront in all fields of activity excelling in their chosen fields erasing gender inequality even as the Central and State governments support their endeavours, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napoleon said here on Saturday.
Speaking at a function organised here to distribute the district-level Manimekalai awards to select women self-help groups, Mr. Napoleon said that the recent introduction of the Women's Bill in the Rajya Sabha and its passing augured well for women's development and ensured equitable participation of women in nation-building. In a lighter vein the Union Minister remarked that many MPs feared that their constituencies might go the eve's way in the next elections and that answered their opposition to the Bill.
The Central and State governments were implementing a lot of schemes for the welfare and development of women and the self-help group concept was the fulcrum to all those efforts, the Union Minister said.
Pointing out that several schemes were being implemented for facilitating SHG members including extending economic development fund and revolving fund credit facilities, Mr. Napoleon said that the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, had been implementing a lot of schemes for their development. Schemes were there to benefit all sections of women from baby girls to elderly women including spinsters.
Calling upon women to get themselves educated to face the future in a confident manner withering competitions, Mr. Napoleon said the increasing success showcased by liberated women was a reminder of their prowess, when given an opportunity.
The Union Minister gave away district-level Manimekalai Awards for 2008-09 for SHGs and federation of SHGs on the occasion. A total of 59 groups were given Rs. 2.38 crore as revolving fund while Rs. 1.19 crore was given away to another 199 groups as economic development assistance. In all 957 groups were granted Rs. 11.73 crores as credit through various means on the occasion.
Collector J. Uma Maheswari recalled that the efforts of progressive minded social reformers such as Periyar E.V. Ramasamy Naicker were responsible for the emancipation of women and the Chief Minister was following their footsteps in implementing women's development schemes.
The Minister gave away a special shield to the Lead District Manager, K. Chandrasekaran, for the meritorious efforts taken for extending credit to maximum number of SHGs in the district.
District Revenue Officer C. Munirathinam, Inam Karur Municipality chairperson Kavitha Ganesan, Project Officer, District Rural Development Agency, S. Kavitha, Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam, S. Rajalakshmi, and others spoke.
