CM: Rs 1 lakh crore bank loans to SHGs by 2014

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, congratulated women on the eve of the 100th International Women’s Day and said March 8 would become an historic day for Indian women as the Women’s Reservation Bill is being introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

“If a woman is empowered it will benefit the entire family,” the Chief Minister said.

“It is the Congress-led UPA government’s gift to women on the International Women’s Day and is a bold step. Credit goes to the UPA president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi,” Mr Rosaiah said in a press release on Sunday.

He announced that his government would extend Rs 1 lakh crore bank loans to women self-help group (SHG) members by 2014 to bring 1 crore families out of poverty.

Till date, the state government has disbursed Rs 23,475.20 crore as bank loans to women SHGs.

“We will continue our efforts to make every woman earn over Rs 1 lakh,” Mr Rosaiah said.

He recalled that Andhra Pradesh with 1.07 crore women members in 33 lakh SHGs, account for 50 per cent of bank linkages to the SHGs in the entire country.

The target for bank loans during the current year is Rs 9,000 crore and SHGs are given loans under Total Financial Inclusion (TFI) to meet their needs including repayment of high cost debts. He appealed to all political parties to join hands to ensure smooth passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill that can change the face of Indian politics.

“This is a golden letter day for women’s empowerment. The single minded devotion, dedication and determination of Mrs Sonia Gandhi in clearing the hurdles for the bill is really laudable,” Mr Rosaiah said.