Women’s self-help groups expect lower interest rates on loans, workshops for skill development from the new government as they prepare to vote in the upcoming assembly elections.
For Prema Aloysius and her Mahilampu SHG, life has not been easy. The group has been around for 20 years, including women who married into families in Tiruchi and were promised a better life. After years of lack of toilet facilities, women have worked to maintain the Swachh Bharat Mission toilet complex to ensure clean toilets for around 150 homes.
The SHG is the reason for our financial freedom, Ms. Prema said. “We are able to contribute to the large purchase in our home, and even to gain respect from our family members; My husband jokingly said that he has no fear and I will take care of all the needs.
With assembly elections not far away, women claim they do not discuss politics. “We insist that everyone cast their vote to practice their democratic right. Although who to vote for has not been discussed. Politicians have met us and made many promises, many of which have not been translated, so we leave it to personal choice, ”said Ms. Preeti.
However, they have some demands, which they want the new government to pay attention to, he said.
There are at least five other SHGs in the area, Semruthi, Malligai, Sevanthi and Om Shakti, all of which were borrowed from private banks and were, therefore, not eligible under the state government-announced concession scheme. “All our bank accounts were with cooperative banks and cooperative unions until two years ago when district administration officials created accounts for us in private banks,” said Ashwari.
“While the Chief Minister said that the SHGs had sought exemption as they could not repay the loan due to COVID-19, we paid on time every month,” she said.
Ms. Ishwari said that she was preparing a letter which she would send to the incoming Chief Minister. He said, ‘We should give instructions to continue with private banks or to return to cooperative banks. There are many SHGs across our state who continue to pay their debts. is it fair? How will we be motivated to return the money? ” He asked.
He suggested that instead of providing skill development and leaving self-help groups, the group could be employed in different offices. “We can be taught how to do jobs and then be employed. Selling phenyl and washing powder is not enough to sustain a family, ”said S Sudha of Rosa Mahalir Kuzhu in Sangliandapuram.
Ms. Sudha also suggested that they reduce the rate of interest on the loan.
The lack of financial support of the government during the lockout has also been disappointing, Ms. Rosa said. “We are also working women, we can be included in the labor department and given financial assistance in emergency situations.”
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