Pasupu-Kunkuma 2nd payment today

Amaravati: The self-help group (SHGs) members will get the second instalment money under Pasupu-Kumkuma, a state government’s welfare scheme through which Rs 10,000 is transferred into bank accounts of each eligible member, on March 8. The total amount is being deposited in three instalments. The first instalment of Rs 2,500 was already transferred in of January, in a festive atmosphere across the state.

Now, on the occasion of World Women’s Day (March 8), Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s government is going to release the second instalment of Rs 3,500. The third instalment will be released next month. For all these three instalments, the government has already handed over the cheques to SHGs. Under this programme, nearly 94 lakh members of the self-help groups are getting benefits. 

Referring to the scheme, Chandrababu Naidu in a statement on Thursday, said that the government was committed to the welfare of women. 
Ever since his first term as Chief Minister, Naidu has envisioned an empowered future for the women as part of building a strong state. 

With the initiative for women SHGs (also known as DWCRA groups) under ‘Velugu’ programme in 1998, the TDP government laid a foundation for the women’s empowerment at grassroots level. These SHGs had remained the network force for rural women even under the Congress rule.

Believing that it is economic independence that primarily contributes to a woman’s overall empowerment, the government of Chandrababu Naidu organised the women and under SHGs. With an aim to raise the minimum household income of women to Rs 10,000 per month, the government has implemented several schemes and programmes through Society for Elimination Rural Poverty (SERP) and ‘Velugu’.

Today, DWCRA groups have becoming the backbone for the government in implementation of welfare schemes. To strengthen them further, the state government has waived Rs 2, 514 crore interest on loans for 6, 56,747 DWCRA groups across the state. 

Furthermore, 55,607 Anganwadi centres have been put in operation under 257 ICDS projects across the state providing employment to 55,607 Anganwadi teachers and 48, 770 Aayas (nannies).

Through these Anganwadi centres, the government provides pre-school education to the children of the 3-6 years age group and provides midday meals for them. The state government spends over Rs 228 crore every year in providing midday meals for 9.11 lakh children across the state. 

The present TDP government has increased the salaries from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10, 500 for Anganwadi teachers and Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 for Aayas. 

This rise in wages has put an increased burden of Rs 305 crores on the government. However, it also contributed to the rise in living standards of Anganwadi employees.