The Hindu : National : Financially empowered women face a new challenge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

National

National

Financially empowered women face a new challenge

By Aarti Dhar

MAHBUBNAGAR, APRIL 5. Women in this economically and socially backward district of Andhra Pradesh are facing a new kind of challenge. Having got over financial insecurity by enrolling themselves with the Self Help Groups (SHGs), the women are now being asked by their menfolk to obtain loans from government banks for income generation and development of the area.

This is not easy as the banks are reluctant to give loans to rural people.

Many women of Bodanampalli village said that their husbands wanted them to approach the banks to get loans as they were being refused loans due to the high default rate. "My husband wants me to get a loan for bigger projects that would help in providing employment and ensuring development of the village or for farming," says a young woman who wishes to be anonymous. Several others echoed the view.

Women belonging to SHGs got small loans easily and also repaid them promptly. They want to get agriculture loans from the banks their SHGs are linked to, but are helpless because the banks refuse to cooperate.An officer of the local branch of Canara Bank came to the village last week and offered Rs. 2 lakhs as loan for rural development projects but the villagers felt that he was not serious about the offer.

Yadamma, member of the Pragati Mahalakshmi group, said they were willing to do all the work themselves provided they had the funds. They urgently require a high school, a health centre and a bus route close to the village.

Yadamma's group took bank loans to buy cattle and also to get her daughter married. The group got Rs. 15,000 the first time, Rs. 40,000 the second time and Rs. 70,000 the third time, because they repaid the entire amount on time.

The SHGs were promoted in Bodanampalli about four years ago by the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Rural Development. The NIRD's Action Research Project in Keshampet — under which Keshampet, Bodanampalli, Thommidirekula, Chinthagondapalli and Alwal fall — is now in the withdrawal mode and the process of documentation is on.

The community has so far managed to get a small source of drinking water, a community hall, toilets in schools with the active participation of the Panchayati Raj institutions. The women began with a contribution of Re.1 a day towards their group and soon realised the benefits of saving.

They did not have to rush to moneylenders who exploited them by charging an interest of 36 per cent. The group always had money when required, at an interest of nine per cent per annum. There are about 15 SHGs in Bodanampalli willing to offer money for the personal expenses of members and their families.

Economic empowerment has made a difference to the lives of the women. They are now united and ready to take on the world to get their rights. "If our needs are not fulfilled soon, we will not allow any government official to pass through the main road. It's time our voices were heard," said Boguramma. "Officials and politicians visit us, listen to our demands and grievances but do nothing." The SHGs were initiated by the former Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, the villagerssay.

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