State Rural Development Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao said that Telangana’s DWRCA women’s associations are setting a remarkable example for the rest of the country with their outstanding achievements. He said that their savings and loan value have surpassed the national average, making them a source of inspiration for women across the nation.
During an event held on Tuesday, Minister Dayakar Rao unveiled the annual plan for bank linkage for the year 2023-24. The target for bank linkage by Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) was set at Rs 15,037.40 crore.
A book featuring success stories of women who established small industries with bank loans was released. Awards were presented to women and officers who demonstrated exceptional talent in various categories.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Dayakar Rao emphasised the importance of women’s progression from small to large-scale entrepreneurs. He urged banks to provide sufficient funds to women and relax loan terms as much as possible. He also called for uniform interest rates across all banks and encouraged them to minimise service charges.
Minister Errabelli highlighted the loan recovery rate of 98 per cent achieved by women in the country. While 57 per cent of women receive loans nationwide, Telangana provides loans to 76 per cent of women. On an average, each Dwcra community receives loans of Rs 5,56,556, the Minister explained.
In all 32 districts of the state, 98 per cent of women are actively involved in Dwakra Sanghas. The 553 Mandal Samakhyas and 4,30,358 Self-Help groups have a combined membership of 46,46,120 women. As on March 31, the outstanding debt balance of these self-help groups is Rs 3,924.50 crore.
Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Principal Secretary of the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, expressed surprise at the numerous success stories shared by women. He emphasised that there are still many more stories waiting to be heard. Within just four years, women have achieved a business turnover of Rs 100 crore, and Sultania explained that if women continue to develop as entrepreneurs, it will not only benefit their families but also contribute to the betterment of the state and the country.
Various women’s associations across the state shared their experiences and success stories.
