Regarding need to enhance the loan assistance for Self Help Groups (SHGs) to Rs. 20 lakh along with creation of new opportunities for their economic improvement-laid

Regarding need to enhance the loan assistance for Self Help Groups (SHGs) to Rs. 20 lakh along with creation of new opportunities for their economic improvement-laid SHRI NAVASKANI K. (RAMANATHAPURAM): I urge the Government to take necessary steps to increase the loan (cid:110) assistance for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to 20 lakh, so that poor and economically backward people at the grassroots level, who are engaged in cottage, small, and micro industries, can improve their livelihood and achieve economic development. I request that the Government directly procure the products manufactured by SHGs for the requirements of government offices, government events, and related activities, thereby providing them assured support. Further, appropriate measures should be taken to promote SHG-made products and help in their commercialisation. To ensure effective implementation of Government schemes, I also request that a certain percentage of works allotted through tenders be reserved for Self-Help Groups, so that the women and men involved in SHGs can directly benefit from these opportunities. Additionally, I urge the Government to take steps to create opportunities for SHGs to improve their economic status by enabling them to establish and operate petrol pumps, gas cylinder distribution units, electric vehicle battery charging stations, agricultural storage warehouses, and similar facilities. ________