The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Micro-credit sets their trade blossoming

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Monday, Aug 18, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Micro-credit sets their trade blossoming

Staff Reporter

CHENGAM: Flower vendors in Chengam block have become a financially self-dependent lot, thanks to the assistance extended through micro-credit scheme. However, some vendors still face challenges while trying to earn a good living.

The vendors at the bus stand, for instance, had to tackle the increase in the rent for shops effected by the town panchayat.

Kavitha (40), who owns a flower shop at the Chengam Bus Stand, said the town panchayat had increased the rent by some thousands of rupees.

However, following a negotiation, the vendors agreed to a 15 per cent hike in the rent.

At present, the vendors were paying a monthly rent of Rs. 2,500.

Ms. Kavitha said she had formed a 15-member group, ‘Malargal Magalir Kuzhu,’ that received micro-credit support through Welfare Association of Rural Mass (WARM). So far, the group received assistance to the tune of Rs.2.20 lakh for their business.

She, as one of the beneficiaries of the scheme, earned an average profit of Rs.200 to Rs.250 every day. The profit earned was seasonal. For Mari (28), selling flowers is the only source of income for her family. She would start walking through the streets of Chengam from 5.30 a.m. and sell flowers till noon.

As she hails from Kottavur, six km from Chengam, she had to shell out Rs.7 on bus fare every day.

That was the only difficulty she faced.

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