Monday, May 16, 2005
Monday, May 16, 2005 |
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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Kerala
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Thiruvananthapuram
Staff Reporter
KOZHIKODE: At a time when Wayanad district is passing through an economic crisis, the Kudumbasree units of the Nenmeni grama panchayat have been showcasing creditable performance. Highly successful micro -credit enterprises function under more than 520 self-help groups. SHGs have brought within its fold more than 9,500 women in the below poverty line category. Through 107 ST neighbourhood groups, 1,800 adivasi women have been made members. These are some of the figures in the balance sheet of Kudumbasree activities of the Nenmeni grama panchayat, in Wayanad district, as part of the poverty alleviation scheme of the State Government, side by side with women empowerment.
Saving habit
The saving habit has been instilled among the women from the BPL category and thereby ensuring their participation in social activities. The Community Development Society, chairperson, Jaya Murali, explains how it has been possible to link SHGs with banks in the district. ``More than 352 SHGs among the 450 which were graded, were linked to various banks. With the result that a sum of Rs. 4 crores credit could be mobilised which in itself is a creditable achievement.'' The panchayat president, P. M. Joy, has been a source of guidance in all activities, she says. The grama panchayat is a classic case of women self-help groups achieving not just self-sufficiency in managing micro credit groups but also their successful tryst with informal banking. There is not a single SHG which has defaulted payment of bank instalments proving the sincerity and responsibility of the women.
Rs. 60-lakh loans
``The Central Bank of India sanctioning a sum of Rs.60 lakhs as loan and entrusting the CDS to distribute the amount is evidence of the trust of the bank in the Kudumbasree mission,'' Ms.Jaya points out. The practice of monthly bank instalments being paid through the CDS, is another instance of the latter getting an opportunity to function as a bank. In keeping with the spirit, the Central Bank of India disbursed a loan of Rs.40,000 each to 75 women for building houses. The State Bank of Travancore (Koliyadi branch) has provided housing loan to 100 beneficiaries.
Micro enterprises
A major achievement is the creditable success of the majority of Kudumbasree micro enterprises started with capital ranging from Rs.50,000 to Rs. one lakh. Eateries, photostat outlets, `swadeshi' soap-making units, Priyadarshini flour mill, unit making traditional snacks, Snehalaya groceries are some of these successful ventures. At a time when paddy cultivation is vanishing from Wayanad district, women SHGs have taken up the activity by leasing land. They have taken up cultivation in 142 acres and vegetable gardening in 62 acres. In addition, ginger, yam, tapioca, banana and ayurvedic herbs are grown in 180 acres. The CDS provides marketing outlets for the produce through weekly sales and special fairs during Onam and Vishu. Self-employment training programmes in greeting card making, production of items from banana fibre, and glass painting is also being taken up.
As part of rehabilitation of destitute families, 25 such families were identified and rehabilitated in 18 wards.
A sum of Rs.35,000 has been distributed so far to meet emergency situations.
The Balasabha started in Nenmeni grama panchayat has drafted 2,500 children as members, through 245 units.
The welfare of the senior citizens is being taken care of through collectives of old people.
A sum of Rs.1.5 lakhs was handed over to the Kudumbasree director, Jose, by the panchayat through contributions from Kudumbasree members for tsunami victims.
Ms. Jaya says the audit operations are carried out scrupulously at the beginning of each year to scrutinise the accounts of the micro enterprises.
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