Govt to increase loan quantum for women SHGs by 2007: CM

Hyderabad, Dec 13 (UNI) Asserting his government's committment for empowerment of women, chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the Congress government has proposed to increase the quantum of loan for Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Rs 3,800 crore to Rs 5000 crore by 2007.

Releasing a UNICEF's report 'The State of the World's Children-2007 ' in the presence of UNICEF's Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Representative Michel Saint-Lot, the chief minister said the SHGs in the state had performed well.

The state was showing the way forward for women's empowerment with over 70 lakh members enrolled in six lakh women SHGs.

He said Pattas for 32 lakh houses constructed under the Indiramma scheme were given to women and three lakh acres of land were also distributed by the government.

Stating the women in the state were married off at the age of 17 as against the national average of 18 years, he urged the parents to educate their girl child at least upto the intermediate level and if possible to higher levels to make them economically independent.

The report detailed the positive impact in empowerment of women, after implementing the reservation of one-third panchayat to women.

Mr Michael said Andhra Pradesh had requisite finances, state machinery and political will for concentrating on women's health, education and empowerment.

''What urgently needed was to focus on reducing maternal and infant deaths, dropping sex ratio and reducing the gender gap in education,'' he said.

Andhra Pradesh Women and Child Welfare Minister N Rajyalakshmi expressed concern over the fall in sex ratio due to gender discrimination and called for corrective steps to prevent it.

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