‘Need for separate system to disburse loans to SHGs’

Ramon Magsaysay awardee, Nilima Mishra, said that there should be a separate system at the banks to disburse loans to self-help groups (SHGs), as many a times the banks are busy when the SHGs need loans, and when the banks want to disburse loans at the end of the year, the SHGs do not need one.  

Mishra was speaking on ‘Rural development and responsibility of media’ at the anniversary celebrations of the Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ) on Saturday.

“To bridge this gap, banks should have a separate system for SHGs. A funding of Rs10 lakh received on time is of greater help than a funding of Rs1 crore when it is not needed,” Mishra said.  
Sometimes banks do not lend money to SHGs, so they stop depositing money with the banks, but the members should realise that they are saving for themselves and not for the banks, she added.  

“Women in rural areas are masters in keeping a record of each rupee spent, so no one can exploit them for personal financial gains,” Mishra said.  

Speaking about the media, Mishra said, “The media has power to disseminate the information about various government schemes for rural development. However, the media follows what readers like to read.”   

She said, “Media should set the path for development of society, and it should put in some thought behind this.”