A total of 16,216 women self-help groups with a membership of 2.62 lakh function in Thanjavur district, said Ko. Si. Mani, State Minister for Co-operation here on Wednesday.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone for Kumbakonam Panchayat Union Office building to come up at a cost of Rs. 1.49 crore, Mr. Mani said the groups have a savings of 92.92 crore. The groups have availed a loan of Rs. 142.73 crore. Many groups which underwent entrepreneurship training have started their own industries. Those who took skilled training are earning Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 5,000. Exhibitions are conducted throughout the year to market the products produced by self help groups. Many awards like Manimekhalai award and sports awards were given to the groups to encourage them. During the year 2009-10, a total of 700 youth and 175 women SHGs have been given entrepreneurship training.
Twenty women, who were given training in preparing ready made garments, were presented certificates and financial assistance at the function..
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M.S. Shanmugham, District Collector, said 1,180 houses have been constructed in the district in the last three years under the Indra Awaz Yojana. Every year works under the Anaithu Anna Grama Marumalarchi scheme are implemented in 116 village panchayats out of 589 panchayats.
S. Ramalingam, former MLA, S. Kalyanasundaram and Anbazhagan, members of the Thanjavur District Panchayat, Thamizhazhagan, Chairman, Kumbakonam Municipality, Mantrachalam, Project Officer, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), participated in the function.