Erode, Nov 3:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Tuesday launched a massive economic empowerment initiative by distributing Rs 1,110 crore in bank-linked credit to 9,000 Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at a state-level function held at Perundurai in Erode district.
The credit disbursement drive, organized jointly by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department and the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women, aims to provide capital to women entrepreneurs to establish micro-enterprises and expand existing cottage industries.
Prior to reaching the event venue at the Lakshmi Narayanan Hall along the Kanchikovil junction on Perundurai Bypass Road, the Chief Minister held an extensive roadshow, standing atop his campaign vehicle to acknowledge cheering crowds, with women offering traditional ‘Poorna Kumbham’ honours along the barricaded corridor.
Upon arrival, he was received with floral bouquets by senior state ministers, district legislators, and District Collector Kandasamy.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chief Minister underscored the pivotal role played by women’s collectives in strengthening the rural economy and fostering grassroots financial self-reliance.
He noted that providing accessible, institutional bank credit protects women entrepreneurs from high-interest informal lenders and equips them to build scalable commercial ventures ranging from textile manufacturing to agro-processing units across western and central Tamil Nadu.
The integrated financial package covers self-help groups drawn from 13 districts, including Erode, Karur, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Salem.
In addition to the Rs 1,110-crore bank credit launch, the event witnessed the broader rollout of government welfare assistance amounting to Rs 3,000 crore targeted at nearly 26,000 SHG members and registered women entrepreneurs across the state.