Hyderabad|India|March'2010:  "It's our commitment. It was the commitment of former Chief Minister Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. It was his desire and dream. No going back on that. We shall make every SHG women in the State a 'lakshadhikari' (lakhier). My government is fully committed to the welfare, security and prosperity of every woman in Andhra Pradesh", Chief Minister Dr. K. Rosaiah reiterated. He was speaking to a group of women representatives and SHG members who called on him today at his residence on the eve of World Women's day.

The Chief Minister said the Government of Andhra Pradesh will facilitate Rs.1 lakh crore bank loans to Self Help Group (SHG) women members by 2014 to bring 1 crore families out of poverty, thus making every woman a lakhier. "I am of the opinion that once the woman in the family is empowered, made self-sufficient and happy, then the entire family prospers and consequently the society and State will develop", Dr Rosaiah told the women outlining his priorities. The Chief Minister has directed the Minister for Rural Development Mr.Vatti Vasanta Kumar to identify team of officers to prepare an action plan to achieve the goal of making one crore SHG women in the State as lakhiers. The Collectors should continue their efforts in achieving this objective, the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister hailed the women of the State in particular and all over the world in general on the occasion of the International Women's day. Dr Rosaiah saluted the mothers and sisters of the State on the occasion and said their sacrifice, affection, patience and perseverance make the family & society happy and prosperous.

Dr Rosaiah said Monday, March 8th will be a historic day in the history of Indian women, when the women reservation bill (ensuring 33.3% reservation for women in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State Assemblies) will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It will be Congress-led UPA Govt.'s gift to the women on the International Women's Day. The Chief Minister congratulated the UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paving way for smooth passage of the Bill in the Parliament with all major political parties supporting it. He said in his 60-long years of public life, it is the first time that such a bold step in favour of women was initiated by any government. The credit for this goes to the UPA Chairperson.

Dr Rosaiah said it will be a golden letter day in women's empowerment in the country He lauded the single-minded devotion, dedication and determination of Smt. Sonia Gandhi in getting the cabinet approval and introduction of the Bill which went through many a hurdles in the past. The Chief Minister also congratulated the entire women community on this momentous occasion.

The Chief Minister said the 'Dr.Y.S.R.Abhaya Hastham' scheme, a co-contributory Pension and Insurance Scheme for SHG women in the age group of 18 and above in rural and urban areas has been formally launched during the current fiscal year provides social security pension ranging from Rs.500/- to Rs.2,200/- per month to all the women members on crossing 60 years of age besides full insurance coverage. The scheme is managed by the Life Insurance Corporation of India. The State Government contributes Rs.365/- per women per year to the LIC. Under this initiative 41 lakh women members have enrolled so far. It is the only one of its kind schemes in the world whereby all the women members who contribute just Re.1/- per day will get guaranteed pension ranging up to Rs.2,200/- per month. Many States are studying the scheme and want to replicate it in their States. Even Government of India wants to launch a similar scheme after an in-depth study and working out the financial commitments. It's a top priority programme of the State Government, Dr. Rosaiah added.

The Chief Minister said that the SHG women movement in Andhra Pradesh has brought in a revolutionary change. Andhra Pradesh tops in the women SHG groups and also in its activities. There are 1.07 Crores women in 9.33 lakh Self Help Groups spread across all the villages in the State. It is a unique record that 90 percent of the rural poor households in the State are organized into SHGs. This SHG movement in A.P. has been widely appreciated by one and all including the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil. The Chief Minister said his Government is totally committed to Women Development and Child welfare by implementing various economic, social, legal and empowerment schemes for women and adolescent girls.

Dr Rosaiah said as far as bank loans are concerned, Rs.21,818.50 Crores were given during the last 5 years to women SHGs. Cumulatively Rs.23,475.20 crores of bank loans are given to SHGs. It is a great achievement that Andhra Pradesh accounts for 50 per cent of Bank Linkages to SHGs in the entire country. The target for bank loans during the current year is Rs. 9,000 Crores. SHG members are given loans under “Total Financial Inclusion” (TFI) to meet all their needs including repayment of high cost debts. The State Government is giving top-most priority for the development of women community and took several innovative initiatives like sanctioning houses, pattas, agricultural land etc., in the name of women only.

Reachout's News Bureau
March' 2010