The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Sonia lauds women involved in SHG movement

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Friday, Jul 18, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Sonia lauds women involved in SHG movement

Special Correspondent

Hopes they will usher in socio-economic revolution in A.P.

The State accounts for one-third of SHGs in India
Praise for dairy development achieved by SHGs

ONGOLE: United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi was all praise for women achieving remarkable progress through the Self-Help Group (SHGs) movement and expressed confidence that they would usher in a socio-economic revolution in Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing about one lakh women belonging to (SHGs) in Prakasam district at a meeting here on Thursday, Ms Gandhi expressed happiness that the State accounted for one-third of SHGs in the country. She commended Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy for providing soft loans (Pavala vaddi) to women and helping them take up small businesses for augmenting their income.

She said dairy development achieved by SHGs in Andhra Pradesh was so impressive that the programme was emulated in Rae Bareli and Amethi Lok Sabha constituencies. She complimented 88 lakh women for working with indomitable spirit to eradicate poverty through collective action with the help of SHGs. She felt ‘proud’ that the unique scheme was called Indira Kranthi Patham after her mother-in-law who had envisioned economic and social development of women. Shegave away cheques to the groups as part of the Rs. 100 crore loans assured to them.

On the UPA’s initiatives, Ms. Gandhi said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Anantapur provided 100 days work to one crore people including 55 lakh women in Andhra Pradesh. The loan waiver scheme amounting to Rs. 71,000 crore benefited not only the farmers but also their womenfolk in debt relief.

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