The Hindu Business Line : `SHGs in AP to get Rs 5,000 cr as loans'

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Hyderabad March 4 The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today said that about Rs 5,000 crore would be earmarked for loans to meet the requirement of self help groups (SHGs) during 2007-2008 at 3 per cent interest.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, Dr Reddy, who reviewed the welfare schemes relating to women, said that last year about Rs 3,500 crore worth loans were extended to the SHGs through bank linkages. The SHGs continue to be the top priority in the State's endeavour for women welfare.

The State thrust on empowering women has had a significant impact and under the Kranthi Patham scheme some 6.5 lakh SHGs were extended loans along with focus on weaker section houses.

Referring to widow pensions, Dr Reddy said that this was enhanced to 2.77 lakh and these would be disbursed during the first week itself. The State had set apart Rs 1,001 crore for welfare programmes under the women and child welfare department in the budget for 2007-2008.

In another statement, Dr Reddy said Andhra Pradesh was the first State in the country to provide credit at 3 per cent for SHGs under Kranthi Patham. During 2004-2005, over Rs 1,244 crore was disbursed, far exceeding targets initially set by the department. During the current fiscal, the State had so far disbursed about Rs 2,204 crore to SHGs and it is proposed to enhance this to about Rs 5,000 crore during the next.

More Stories on : Social Welfare | Gender | Andhra Pradesh

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