Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin   

Panchayat-level federations of women SHGs to be set up

R. Vimal Kumar

Mahalir Thittam initiative to boost living condition of women

TUTICORIN: : The Mahilar Thittam, an organisation functioning under the Tamil Nadu Women Development Corporation, will establish three more panchayat-level federations (PLF) of women self-help groups in Tuticorin district during the current fiscal.

The federations will have two members each from every approved SHG functioning in the respective panchayat limits under its fold.

S. Mayilerumperumal, Project Officer, Mahilar Thittam, told this reporter that each of the 408 panchayats and 19 special panchayats would have one federation before the end of the current financial year. ``The aim of forming federation at every panchayat/ special panchayat level is to strengthen the income-generation activities of women SHGs and enhance the living standard of women.''

Once the formation of federations was completed, the Mahilar Thittam would make efforts to form block-level federations (BLF) at each of 12 blocks in the district as consortia comprising representatives of various PLFs.

Mr. Mayilerumperumal said that the BLF concept would give a broader perspective to SHG activities. Groups in a wider area can join together to market their produce of similar nature under a common brand/ umbrella brand. ``It will enhance the marketing capabilities and ensure quicker returns.''

Besides, the Mahilar Thittam would try to rope in services of 13 non-governmental organisations functioning under its ambit to help market the products manufactured by the SHGs.

On the other projects enlisted in the action plan for 2005-06, the Project Officer said: ``We are planning to grant revolving funds to as many SHGs as possible through banks, with subsidies from the District Rural Development Agency.''

Entrepreneurship training would be provided to two select representatives of SHGs, which were not covered previously.

Once they finished general entrepreneurship training, they would be given inputs in specific areas such as manufacture of products from palm leaves and fish processing techniques. ``The groups which benefit from the programme will be helped to get credit from banks,'' he added.

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