SHG women racing against time to stitch uniforms for school kids

Hyderabad: The 63 lakh members of the Self-Help Groups across the State are racing against time to meet the target of stitching over 70 lakh school uniforms for students in government schools. As a part of empowering women SHGs, the State government has entrusted the responsibility of stitching uniforms to them. Officials are hopeful of getting the uniforms before the academic year starts.

During the launch of the Mahila Shakti Scheme, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had said the government would make the women crorepatis during the next five years by providing interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh crore. The government had promised to provide stitching contracts to the women for uniforms of school children and police.

According to officials, women's groups have been entrusted with the responsibility of stitching 70 lakh pairs of clothes across the State with the aim of providing uniform to every student in government schools. The government had started the Swashakti Stitching Centres to train and facilitate the women to stitch quality clothes in all districts in 45 days. Earlier, the stitching of clothes was given to private companies. Now each woman is being provided seven pairs a day at the stitching centres under the groups.

Panchayat Raj Principal Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania, who toured Suryapet district a day before, said women should excel in all fields; the government would provide them a good future. Cutting machines will be provided in mandals. Henceforth, women's groups will be given a helping hand in every work. He said in cities like Hyderabad, women are being given better training and ready-made clothes are provided.

Officials informed that as per the government target, uniforms for 31,940 students of the target of 43,245 have been prepared by the members of 721 women groups in 62 areas in 783 government schools across 23 mandals in Suryapet district. The balance clothes will be provided within the stipulated time.

A senior official said the women are happy with stitching order to SHGs. Earlier, women used to get the work through private companies who used to pay less. The women are being paid Rs 50 for each pair of uniform in districts. There are three designs for girls, including one for class I to III, shirt and skirt for girls of class IV and V and Punjabi dress for class 6 to 12.