Women Key To Rural Development: Dana Kishore
The state government was prioritising women’s welfare and announced that self-help group (SHG) women would be provided access to interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh: Dana Kishore
NALGONDA: Special Chief Secretary of panchayat raj and rural development Dana Kishore on Wednesday said women were playing a crucial role in rural development in the state.
During an inspection of works taken up under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Jal Shakti Abhiyan — Jan Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari at Chinnakaparthi in Chityala mandal of Nalgonda district, he reviewed progress with officials and interacted with labourers. He enquired whether wages were being paid on time and whether basic amenities were available at worksites.
He said the state government was prioritising women’s welfare and announced that self-help group (SHG) women would be provided access to interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh. Buildings for grama mahila samakhyas would be constructed with a target for completion by November. He added that SHG women would also be involved in running rice mills.
Stating that ₹870 crore had been allocated for construction of gram panchayat buildings, he said all works taken up under the programme would be completed by December. Gram panchayat funds should be used to address drinking water issues in villages, he said, adding that measures were being taken to ensure salaries for gram panchayat workers were paid on the first day of every month.
He said 16.20 lakh labourers were currently employed under the scheme across the state, of whom 1.20 lakh were in Nalgonda district. He commended the district administration for leading the state in enrolment under the employment guarantee scheme.
District collector B. Chandrasekhar, district rural development officer Sekhar Reddy and Zilla Parishad CEO Prem Karan Reddy were present.
