SHG awareness programme held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07 2012:
A one-day awareness programme on 'financing self help groups (SHGs), women empowerment and labour welfare' has been organised today by Thangmeiband Development Organisation (Takdo) at Ima Ibemma Khunthokhanbi Shanglen, DMC campus.
As chief guest of the awareness programme, Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykisan Singh conveyed that the event was conceptualised to rectify the trend of forming SHGs only when election is round the corner and politicians utilising the SHG members as a source of canvassing votes.
Asserting that aim and objectives of forming SHGs should be on the empowerment of the womenfolk at the locality level to facilitate groups of women sustain their livelihood through economic activities in consultation with resource persons, Joykisan regretted that many SHGs remain defunct both the State and constituency levels consequent to certain individuals with vested interests ultimately lacking in commitment to assist SHGs attain their goal of economic emancipation.
Noting that among the SHGs that subsequently ceased functioning after the formative period many had even availed loans from banks, the MLA stated that the awareness programme was held to highlight various central-sponsored welfare schemes which SHGs could effectively implement.
He further informed the gathering that many economically unsound families under Thangmeiband AC were deprived of BPL cards and PDS items as they were unaware on how to get enrolled as BPL card holders.
The MLA also claimed that over 2000 fresh applications for enrolment as BPL families have been put forth to the Deputy Commissioner concerned from the assembly constituency since his election to the State Assembly.
As resource persons of the programme, Chief Consultant (Associated Trainers & Consultant) S Prameshwar Singh deliberated on 'Women Empowerment and SHG', SBI Manager (Retd) L Bihari Singh on the topic 'How to Manage Financial Assistance received by SHG members from banks', social activist M Shantibala Devi on 'Labour Welfare' and Deputy Labour Commissioner E tomba Singh also on 'Labour Welfare'.
Takdo president Mutum Rajendro and ICM Chairman L Tompishak Singh also attended the event.