Mysuru: District Co-operative Banks and Societies will offer interest-free loans up to Rs. 2 lakh to women, said Women and Child Welfare Minister Umashree.

She was speaking after inaugurating Mahila Dasara organised by the Women and Child Welfare Dasara Sub-Committee and later launching the Exhibition organised by the Sthree Shakti Self Help Groups at J.K. Grounds here on Sept.21.

Women who want to start any industry can prepare a project report and approach the District Cooperative Banks and Societies, which will sanction them interest-free loans. There is no better time to becoming economically strong, than now, she said.

Special centres have been opened in District Centres for treatment of atrocities against women and this facility will be extended to taluk centres shortly. On Gandhi Jayanti Day, a programme to distribute milk and eggs to people below poverty line, women and labourers who are deprived of nutritious food will be started.

The State Government has taken up several welfare programmes for women’s economic empowerment. We are implementing such programmes in spite of several challenges and changes. Women should come forward and make full use of such opportunities, said  Umashree.