Social welfare Minister P.Geetha Jeevan handing over a loans to SHG members in Thoothukudi on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: N. RAJESH

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu disbursed loans to the tune of ₹60.02 crore to 504 women self-help groups in the district in a function held here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Appavu said the bank credit linkages were being given to the women SHGs for ensuring the economic independence of women by encouraging them to start their own business ventures through these hassle-free loans. Besides improving their living standards, the women SHG members were providing employment to a few others also.

Against the target of giving ₹764 crore loan to the SHGs during the current fiscal, 917 SHGs had received ₹93.11 crore till June 10, 2025, for starting or expanding their businesses. In the past four years, ₹2,140 crore loan had been disbursed to the SHGs in the district.

“The loan is given to uplift the women, especially the poor rural women and their families. Hence, the beneficiaries should make use of it while repaying the loan promptly,” Mr. Appavu said.

District Collector R. Sukumar, Tirunelveli Corporation Mayor G. Ramakrishnan, Deputy Mayor K.R. Raju and Chairman of Tirunelveli District Panchayat V.S.R. Jegadeesh were present.

In Kanniyakumari district, Collector R. Alagumeena handed over loan to the tune of ₹75.66 crore to 686 women SHGs.

“Since the rate of interest being given to SHGs is very low while the repayment period is longer, the beneficiaries should utilise this opportunity. If 10 women from a particular area can form a group and approach the officials with their business proposal, you can easily get the loan for starting your venture and start earning,” Ms. Alagumeena said. Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Magesh and MLA J.G. Prince were present.

A total of 945 SHGs in Thoothukudi district received ₹82.84 crore loan from Minister for Social Welfare P. Geetha Jeevan in a function held here on Wednesday.

“Besides giving the money for starting the business of your choice, the government is also upskilling you by honing your business skills to make you a full-fledged entrepreneur. Hence, we’ve so far disbursed ₹121 crore loan to the SHGs during the current financial year against the target of ₹1,009 crore,” Ms. Geetha said appealing to the SHGs to strive hard to improve their ratings.

District Collector K. Elambahavath, Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan and Mayor Jegan Periyasamy were present.

In Tenkasi district, ₹60.57 crore loan was given to 587 SHGs by District Collector A.K. Kamal Kishore in the presence of MP Rani Srikumar and MLAs S. Palani Nadar and T. Sadan Thirumalaikumar.

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