Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli   

SHG-run eatery now open near Tirunelveli new bus stand

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI, DEC. 23. The District Rural Development Agency, which inaugurated a commercial complex near the new bus stand at Vaeinthankulam on October 30 last year to market the artistic and competitively priced products of self-help groups in the district, has roped in an SHG to open an eatery in the complex.

The Collector, Atul Anand, inaugurated the open-air refectory, started by the Women Development Forum of Sembikulam, today. The DRDA has sanctioned a loan of Rs. 2 lakhs for this project with a subsidy component of 50 per cent. To begin with, the cafeteria, the brainchild of the Project Officer, DRDA, P. Ponniah, will function between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. and serve vegetarian dishes at reasonable rates.

"If the patronage is overwhelming, the cafeteria will also serve breakfast items between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., and maybe non-vegetarian food too," said Mr. Ponniah, who has set-up a garden with swing, see-saw, slide etc. in front of the eatery to attract children.

He has even designed the fencing of this garden aesthetically using beautifully painted bamboos.

The SHGs, who have opened their shops in this commercial complex to sell a range of products, have transacted business worth Rs. 2.53 lakhs since inception.

The SHGs sell paper cups, sanitary napkins, bags, terracotta, mats from Pathamadai, palm products, cane and bamboo products, banana and aloe fibre products, herbal products, cleaning powder, liquid blue etc.

Around 7,000 SHGs had been formed in the district with 1,12,024 members, who have saved Rs. 33.33 crores as savings.

While 653 groups have availed economic assistance to start business ventures, others received a revolving fund of Rs. 25,000 each.

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