Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Dec 1: Udupi district-in-charge minister and minister of women’s and children’s welfare Dr Jayamala met Udupi diocese bishop Rev Dr Jerald Isaac Lobo here on Friday November 30 and received his blessings.

Catholic diocese women group members submitted an appeal to the minister on the occasion. They stated that self help groups functioning in the diocese have obtained micro credit finance and subsidy, become financially independent and have repaid 100% loan.

“However there are setbacks for women to benefit from the schemes”, they stated requesting to increase the loan limit to Rs 15000 and subsidy to Rs 7000 instead of the present Rs 10000 loan and Rs 5000 subsidy in rural areas. They also requested to raise the income limits to 1.5 lacs in villages and Rs 2 lacs in towns like in the case of educational projects.

“The need for ration cards for obtaining loans should be done away with. The loan facility should not be confined only to Stree Shakthi groups but to all poor women’s self help groups. Rs 175 crores are set aside to Christian community through Christian Development Corporation. But Udupi diocese has not been able to receive any of the amounts. Therefore, the minister should look into the matter,” they stated in the appeal.

Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, KPCC secretary Veronica Cornelio, Catholic women’s group Udupi diocese president Janet Barboza, organization spiritual director and director of Sampada, Fr Reginald Pinto, organization former president Judith Fernandes, secretary Clotilda D’ Souza, treasurer Clara Rego, organizers Sr Janet Fernandes and others were present.