Self-help groups (SHGs) in Tamil Nadu will be revived now that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is back in force, said Rural Development Minister K. R. Periakaruppan. The SHG concept, which was pioneered by the late M. Karunanidhi, has not only empowered women, especially in rural areas but also provided them with economic security.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is a political party in India, particularly in the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry. The Dravidian party DMK was established in 1949 and adheres to C. N. Annadurai and Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's social-democratic and social justice principles.
He told reporters that Chief Minister M. K. Stalin believed in women's empowerment after presiding over a review meeting attended by senior officials like Hans Raj Verma, K. S. Palanisamy, P. Jothi Nirmalasami, and District Collector P. Madhusudhan Reddy.
The Minister said that the SHGs have not received the attention they deserve in the last ten years.
Mr. Periakaruppan said that they will work to professionally revive and rejuvenate the SHGs.
He urged the field workers to take notice of the SHGs in their areas and discuss ways to revitalise them.
He said that about 1 lakh SHG members in Sivaganga district had been given a revolving fund worth Rs 425 crore. The revolving fund should be improved so that SHG members can make the most of it.
He suggested that the officials should encourage the SHGs to look for opportunities beyond agriculture. They can be assured of a monthly income by raising milch animals. Similarly, they can raise fish in farm ponds, which would be a moneymaker.
The womenfolk can be encouraged to take up stitching clothes for garment industries. “As Karaikudi Chettinad dishes are popular among Tamils settled abroad, the SHGs can be involved in a big way to produce these dishes,” he noted.
Mr. Periakaruppan said that the Women Development Corporation and other organisations would be available to propose creative and cost-effective ideas to the SHGs and assured them of his full support.
MLAs A. Tamilarasi and Mangudi, as well as officials from a variety of agencies, were also present.
