The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Friends again!

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Tuesday, Feb 05, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Friends again!

Union Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy (TSR), in the presence of AP Minister for Commercial Taxes and Congress strongman in Vizag district Konathala Ramakrishna and a host of legislators, on Monday tried to impress upon media that there were no differences between him and Mr. Ramakrishna and there was no groupism as such during the three years or more. On top of it, he blamed it on the media saying it was all its own creation. While Mr. Ramakrishna who was at the receiving end all these years said, “Let bygones be bygones,” the legislators who aligned with TSR and distanced themselves from Mr. Ramakrishna till now looked embarrassed. Some of them are also worried about their fate with the elections not far away, since Mr. Ramakrishna will have a say in choosing the candidates in any election in the district as it was proved in Mayoral election which was the latest such instance.

Heady stuff

People drink for several reasons and some times for no reason! An old Hindi song says “Peenevalonko peene ka bahana chahiye.” But Mental Hospital Superintendent G. Bhagya Rao categorized drinking as bad, sad, mad and glad depending upon their personality and the company they keep. Oftentimes it’s to celebrate as in cinemas it begins with opening of bottles. But in many cases, drinking becomes an addiction though it begins as social drinking.

Dr.K.V.G.K. Tilak pointed out the influence of alcohol in committing crime or the spread of HIV/AIDS. The popular notion that a little liquor does good is based on western genetic data and also depends upon age, he says. But in spite of the ills of drinking, it seems to have been spreading. Several speakers pointed out that from the habit of the rich and the poor, its grip on the middle class is tightening. ‘Heady’ leveller, one might say.

Panther menace

Are the panthers striking terror among the human beings or vice-versa? Ask Divisional Forest Officer P. Vijaykar. He was candid in admitting at a meeting conducted by Vizag Journalists’ Forum that the panthers used to come on a stroll to Rushikonda, Kapulauppada and others areas before the IT and housing units took up construction.

When an NGO activist pointed out that they were getting disturbed due to construction activity even at night, he remarked, “The panthers are nocturnal where as there is no timing for human beings who work 24x7” for damaging the eco-system. From micro-organisms to elephants, everything is vital for the eco-system.”

Loans to SHGs

Why is it that banks prefer to extend loans to women and not to their husbands, especially in tribal areas and slums?

This is because the Governments and NGOs have realised that women, unlike their male counterparts, are not only utilising the funds for their own economic development but also are prompt in repaying the amount taken.

Loans are now being extended to women through Self Help Groups (SHG s) at subsidised rates of interest. The group leaders are assigned the task of collecting the monthly instalments and paying it to the bank. If any member fails to pay an instalment due to unforeseen problems, other members contribute among themselves and pay the dues.

This system is said to be working wonders in the lives of slum women and tribals alike.

No wonder, the Union Bank of India sanctioned Rs.10.05 crores to the SHG s of five mandals in the agency through a single branch. It has plans to disburse as much as Rs.100 crores in the next four years or so.

“On seeing that UBI has sanctioned such a large amount, another nationalised bank is evincing keen interest in providing loans to SHGs in the agency,” ITDA Project Officer A. Sharath said.

“Even if one or two members turn defaulters, the bank concerned would lose Rs.1 lakh or Rs.2 lakhs but if an entrepreneur or big businessman in city who borrows crores of rupees and fails to repay, the bank would runs into losses,” he feels.

Prabhakkar Sharma,

G.V. Prasada Sarma,

Santosh Patnaik and