Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

She gets the `credit' from CM

By Our Special Correspondent

Hyderabad Dec. 19. It was a day to remember for K. Bhagyalakshmi of Warangal on Friday. The 25-year-old artisan realised her dream of getting a loan of Rs. 25,000 without any security and personal undertaking and at prime lending rate of interest. She was more than overwhelmed as the credit was handed over to her by none other than the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, in his Secretariat chamber this evening, while the Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, showered his blessings from Delhi through video link.

Ms. Bhagyalakshmi, who hails from a poor family, is engaged in traditional brass art. Using casting technique of yore, she fashions Gods, goddesses and lamps out of the metal. She wanted to turn a new leaf taking advantage of the new market opened for her items, but lack of wherewithal had been her problem.

The day for which she dreamt came when she was selected along with 13 others recently by the State Government officials for extending the `Artisan Credit Card' under the Prime Minister's recently-announced Swaraj Rojgar.

A. Koteswara Rao, a weaver from Tenali, whose nimble fingers could turn out even the delicate muslin, was also happy. He was particularly delighted that the card-sanctioning was hassle-free and that it would open a channel for regular credit transactions with Andhra Bank, essential for continuing himself in weaving business. His feelings were shared by Vutla Goverdhan of Kandukur, also a weaver.

Mr. Vajapyee, who distributed the card to some of Delhi artisans under the scheme, also interacted with Chief Ministers - N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Naveen Patnaik - during the video conference.

Mr. Chandababu Naidu told the Prime Minister that the State Government had distributed identity cards to 1.68 lakh artisans and sought their inclusion in the scheme.

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