The Indian Express 26.09.2013
Eligibility for grants: PCMC favours 3-year-in-existence norm for SHGs
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has drawn severe
criticism and at the same time been showered with praise for its two
important decisions taken in the last one week. Citizens say both the
decisions show the civic body is capable of taking measures and then run
contrary to the public interest and at the same time initiate measures
in the interest of both the civic body and tax payers.
For starters, PCMC has decided to make it compulsory for
Self-Help Groups (SHGs)to be in existence for three years to be eligible
for civic grants. According to PCMC, current rules make any SHG in
existence for a year and that has done social work eligible for civic
financial assistance.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Satish Kulkarni said, "PCMC has
taken a policy decision that any SHG that has been working for three
years will be eligible for civic grants."
This, said Kulkarni, will curb the mushrooming of SHGs which come into existence only for availing grants.
"It has been found that once the grants are disbursed, SHGs disappear into oblivion," he said.
As of now, the civic body gives Rs 18,000 grant to recognised SHGs.
Hailing the PCMC move, corporator Sulbha Ubale, who headed the
Pimpri-Chinchwad Bachat Mahasangh, demanded the one-time grant should
be hiked from Rs 18,000 to Rs 50,000.
"If the civic body is planning three-year existence norm, then it
should hike the grant to Rs 50,000. This will give a boost to the SHG
movement," she said. Ubale said after three years, the civic body should
support SHGs.
"It is the duty of the civic body to not only provide them
incentives, but also ensure they are supported to carry out effectiv
work," said Ubale.
She said it won't be a bad idea if the civic body extends
financial assistance every year after the SHGs fulfill three-year
existence norm. Official sources said there are over 5,000 SHGs in
Pimpri-Chinchwad, but only a handful are active.
Welcoming the move, Shiv Sena leader Shrirang Barne said, "It is a
decision which is in the interest of the civic body and tax payers."
Anita Landge of Damini Bachat Gat said politicians with an eye on
elections have formed hundreds of SHGs in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
"Politicians who want to become corporators or corporators who want to
cling on to their posts have formed hundreds of SHGs. After receiving
grants, several groups become non-functional," she said.