GHMC extends Rs.213.71 cr bank loans to SHGs

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has extended Rs 213.71 crore bank loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the city this year and measures were being taken to enroll more poor women into SHGs and ensure the groups function effectively.

This apart, initiatives are being taken to issue identity cards to street vendors in the city and efforts were on to set up special groups on the lines of women SHGs and extend interest free loans through banks.

GHMC is extending interest free bank loans to SHGs to help them set up different small scale projects, works and aid in their social and financial empowerment. In GHMC limits, there are 42,925 SHGs and over 5 lakh women are enrolled as members in these groups. Each group



has an enrolment of 10 to12 members.

This year, 1283 new groups have been formed and instructions were issued to Urban Community Development officials to enroll more women into the groups. During a meeting with officials and SHGs here on Friday, GHMC Additional Commissioner Sikta Patnaik said Rs 1.70 crore loans were offered to 206 women under self-employment programme.

Measures have been taken to restart 300 SHGs, which were shut due to different reasons. Till date, 2246 Mahila Arogya Samithis were set up and they will be creating awareness among people, especially women, on the health services being extended by the State government, she said.