Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Mar 12: A programme to distribute bank loans to self-help groups and create awareness about the Panch Guarantee schemes was held at Sparsha Kala Mandir in B C Road as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.

The event was jointly organised by Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana, the department of skill development, entrepreneurship and livelihood, Sanjeevini Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society and Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat.

The programme was conducted with the cooperation of taluk panchayat Bantwal, Guarantee Implementation Committee Bantwal taluk, District Women Empowerment Unit, Child Development Project, Department of Women and Child Development, Vijaya Grameena Abhivruddhi Pratishthana (R), Mangaluru, Bharatiya Vikas Trust, Manipal and Bharathambe Sanjeevini Taluk Level Federation (R), Bantwal.

Taluk Guarantee Committee president Jayanthi R Poojary inaugurated the programme. Lecturer Madhumala delivered a lecture on women empowerment.

Speaking on the occasion, former minister B Ramanath Rai said that the guarantee schemes implemented by the government are beneficial for everyone in the present times and are especially helpful in strengthening the economic independence of women. He said there should be greater awareness in society about women’s freedom and women’s rights. Reservation is not charity but the right of women, he stated, adding that amendments in the Panchayat Raj system have increased the participation of women.

Project director Jayaram, speaking on the occasion, said that under government and NRLM schemes, several financial facilities and training programmes are being provided to women. He urged women to bring more members into their organisations and make use of the schemes. He also said that a request has already been submitted to the government to increase the community investment fund given to each group from Rs 1.5 lac to Rs 3 lac.

Taluk panchayat executive officer Sachin Kumar, Child Development Project officer Mamthaz, Bharathambe Sanjeevini taluk federation president Vidya, taluk panchayat assistant director Vishwanath Bailamule, taluk programme manager Sudha, taluk managers Pradeep Kamath and Sanghavi, NREGA IEC coordinator Rajesh, Vijaya Grameena Abhivruddhi Pratishthana chief executive officer Jyothiraj, Farmer Producer Company president Shobha and members of the Bantwal Guarantee Scheme Committee were present on the dais.

Prior to the programme, the taluk-level monthly market was inaugurated by taluk panchayat executive officer Sachin Kumar.

Zone supervisors Deekshitha and Kusuma compered the programme. Bank loans were distributed to self-help groups during the event. The programme also featured a taluk-level monthly market, felicitation of achievers and various cultural programmes.