The Hindu : Front Page : Sonia Gandhi’s pat for SHG movement

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Friday, Jul 18, 2008
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Sonia Gandhi’s pat for SHG movement

Special Correspondent

Sonia Gandhi

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.

Compliments women

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. Ms Gandhi gave away cheques to the groups as part of the Rs. 100 crore loans assured to them.

Explaining the UPA’s initiatives, she said 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 AP. The loan waiver scheme amounting to Rs. 71,000 crore benefited not only the farmers but also their womenfolk from being freed from the distress of debt.

The UPA Government enacted a legislation to curb domestic violence in the interests of women and the Women’s Reservation Bill introduced in Parliament recently would provide one-third reservation for women in elected bodies.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, APCC president D. Srinivas, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, Rural Development Minister G. Chinna Reddy, V. Arun Kumar, MP, participated. Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy welcomed the gathering and B Srinivasa Reddy, MLA, proposed a vote of thanks.

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