Scores of women members of self-help groups (SHGs) on Wednesday staged a dharna in front of the Prakasam Bhavan in protest against the alleged “continuing harassment” by Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) for repayment of equated weekly instalments (EWIs).
Unable to repay the high interest rate, some of the SHG members fled their native Karumanchi village. With no means to repay the loans taken by those who had fled, the remaining members urged the district administration to come to their rescue.
POW charge
Speaking for the affected women, Progressive Organisation for Women (POW) district secretary B. Padma told reporters that the Ordinance promulgated by the State government was “only on paper.”
She said the agents of four to five MFIs, who had given loans to five groups with 10 members each, visit the village all through the week, except Tuesdays and Saturdays.
“Besides putting mental pressure, they are using filthy language against women living in the village to pay EWIs of those women who have fled though the government has amply made it clear to stop weekly collection of payments,” she said.
Official's promise
They agitating members relented after DRDA Project Director Venkata Subbaiah agreed to visit the village and ensure that MFIs adhered to the instructions, including registration and putting an end to the system of agents making door-to-door visits.
