Statewide distribution of interest-free loans for SHG women from today

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Finance Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said interest-free loans worth ₹304 crore would be distributed to 3.50 lakh women from Self-Help Groups (SHG) from Tuesday.

During a video conference with officials on Monday, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and SERP CEO Divya Devarajan to inform Ministers and MLAs in advance and hold the distribution programmes simultaneously across all Assembly constituency headquarters and ensure the participation of Mandal Federation and Village Federation members of the SHGs.

Bhatti Vikramarka said, “The previous BRS government abandoned the interest-free loans programme. After the ‘Praja Palana’ came to power, we relaunched it on a massive scale. This initiative has built confidence and courage among women across the State.” He said that interest-free loans will be distributed in three phases Statewide.

The Deputy Chief Minister also congratulated all District Collectors for paying special attention and for successfully ensuring Indiramma sarees reach all villages.

On this occasion, Minister Seethakka clarified that the government is working sincerely towards the financial empowerment of women. Every year, bank linkage loans of at least ₹25,000 crore are provided to women’s SHGs, and the government continues to bear the interest on them without any additional interest burden. She reminded that the previous government evaded the interest of ₹3,500 crores due to SHGs and had also squandered the Abhayahastam funds that SHG women had saved.