Mysore/Mysuru: In yet another measure for the welfare of Pourakarmikas, the MCC has planned to set up Self Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NULM (Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission) for financial empowerment of women Pourakarmikas.

According to MCC Additional Commissioner M.J. Roopa, the process of identification of women Pourakarmikas attached to all the 65 MCC wards for bringing them under SHGs has begun.

Pointing out that the initiative is primarily aimed at bringing  women Pourakarmikas to the mainstream society with support from Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission and National Safai Karmacharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), she said that there are 886 women Pourakarmikas in the MCC, out of whom 500 will be brought under SHGs, each of which will have five members.

Highlighting the salient features of these SHGs which will be about 100 in number, Roopa said that the women Pourakarmika members will be trained for three months on matters such as financial knowledge, ways and nature of self-employment, economic empowerment etc.

“Each group will be given Rs. 10,000 as primary fund and such groups which will record Rs. 50,000 savings will be extended loans upto Rs. 2 lakh at low interest rate. If the SHGs clear Rs. 2 lakh loan taken and maintain fiscal discipline, then they will become eligible for availing Rs. 10 lakh loan in later stages, which can be suitably used for self-employment”, she said adding that groups which repay the loan within the stipulated time, can  be considered for return of interest paid.

Pourakarmika leader Rachaiah said that he welcomes the MCC’s move for financial empowerment of women Pourakarmikas under DAY-NULM Scheme. 

He thanked MCC Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy, Additional MCC Commissioner M.J. Roopa, MCC Health Officer Dr. D.G. Nagaraj and other officials for their efforts in successful implementation of the scheme.