PC keeps his promise: It146;s pouring loans in Sivaganga

SHG members, who thronged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa8217;s meetings till yesterday, are now excited at the prospect of meeting the Finance Minister. Case in point is his interface with farmers and SHGs at a function organised by the Indian Bank at Tirupattur on Saturday. Members of the Siharam and Sirpi Mahalir Manrams, Devakottai, did not know how to react when they received demand drafts of Rs 2 lakh each from the Minister.

8216;8216;We were in for a surprise when our bank manager told us that he was ready to advance Rs 2 lakh as loan. We did not ask for it, as we had repaid Rs 1.2 lakh only a few days ago,8217;8217; a member of Siharam said.

8216;8216;But the money 8212; Rs 10,000 each for the 20 members 8212; has come as a timely assistance for some of our colleagues who are yet to repay the loan obtained from within the group,8217;8217; another member said.

Besides the SHG credit scheme, as many as 128 people received individual loans under the Gramin Mahila Saubhagya Scheme. A beneficiary under the scheme, a member of the Jhansi Rani SHG, was all praise for Chidambaram. 8216;8216;Now that our man holds a significant portfolio in the Parliament, his eyes are set on our uplift,8217;8217; she said.

8216;8216;We are being given more importance now by the credit institutions, thanks to the Minister,8217;8217; said Unnamalai, attached to a SHG in Pudhukaatambur.

In his speech, the Minister himself praised the SHGs for timely repayment of loans. 8216;8216;I would be more happy had all the beneficiaries been women, as they hardly default,8217;8217; he said. Chidambaram also thanked the banks for having 8216;8216;fulfilled the Central Government8217;s promise in way of advancing loans to 300-odd beneficiaries in several villages of Sivaganga district 8212; Okkur, Kalayarkoil, Pallathur, Pillayarpatti, Salaigramam8230;8217;8217;

Recalling Chidambaram8217;s 8216;8216;lively8217;8217; interaction with the farmers and his tour of rural banks in Madurai and adjoining districts in August, a Mahila Congress activist said, 8216;8216;Now, the Chief Minister alone cannot claim credit for ushering in a revolutionary change in women8217;s emancipation through self-help groups.8217;8217;

The Finance Minister had also organised a two-day free medical camp in Karaikudi. Another such camp is due in January, a source said.

8216;8216;MDMK general secretary Vaiko8217;s medical camps in his Sivakasi constituency was a major hit with the locals. And Chidambaram, who is perhaps the first Finance Minister to reach out to the grassroots, is gaining clout using a similar strategy. Without confining himself to policy-making blocks, the Finance Minister has adorned the MP8217;s gaddi too,8217;8217; a party source said.