VIJAYAWADA: Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA), the nodal agency of Union Urban Development Ministry, has taken up capacity building for women Self Help Groups (SHGs) in 12 urban areas of Krishna district. The women enrolled in this programme are excelling in various aspects and Krishna district has stood first in the entire State for women empowerment.With as many as 67,000 groups across the district and a total strength of 1.17 lakh membership, it was necessary to improve their income by means of providing financial assistance through various agencies in Gannavaram, Nuzvid, Jaggayyapet and 50 other mandals in the district.
Currently, the SHGs are taking part in various government initiatives, right from owning Anna Sanjeevani medical stores to supplying midday meals. The financial resources provided to SHGs has improved by proving the assistance through different means like of Sthree Nidhi, Mudra loans, capital infusion by State government apart from regular bank loans. With improved funding, the need for diversified activity to improve over-all income of these groups in general and to members in a particular group has gained momentum.
The groups have also come up with their own business ideas and have secured a good place in the market. From setting up provisional stores to supermarkets, manufacturing pickles to organic food supplies, the SHGs in Krishna district have proved their mettle .Representative of Lakshmi sthree sakthi sangam, an SHG of Gudivada, T Rama lakshmi said that they have taken up manufacturing of plastic glasses, tiffin plates and meals plates an year ago and found good market for their products in the form of direct sale at their unit. She also said that in total, four members of their group received a loan of `3 lakh under Sthree Nidhi funding. P Chinnathataiah, Mission Director, MEPMA said, “The main motive of the mission is to eliminate urban poverty across the State and through MEPMA, we are being able to empower women.”