18 women's self-help groups get Rs 1.08 crore in loans at bank fair in Jalgaon's Nasirabad

A bank fair for women's self-help groups was held at the Union Bank of India branch in Nasirabad, Jalgaon district. It was organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan by the District Rural Development Agency, Jalgaon, and the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (Umed), under the state government's Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

Banking transactions and loan disbursal worth Rs 1.08 crore were completed at the fair, it was stated. The initiative is expected to strengthen the economic power of village women and help give a new direction to the enterprises of women's savings groups.

On the occasion, loans of Rs 1.08 crore were disbursed to 18 self-help groups. The event was held under the vision and guidance of Raju Lokhande, project director of the District Rural Development Agency; Chandrakant Bodhre, block development officer of the Jalgaon Panchayat Samiti; Hareshwar Bhoi, Umed's district mission manager; and Chandrakant Sonawane, district manager (financial inclusion). Hemangi Kishor Tokekar, cluster coordinator of the Zilla Parishad circle Nasirabad Bhadli Budruk cluster, guided the women's groups.

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, run under Umed, has been described as an important step towards making women's groups in rural areas stronger and self-reliant. Its aim is not only to help women get the benefit of government schemes. Building leadership qualities, strengthening their ability to take financial decisions, fostering entrepreneurship and increasing their share in household financial planning are also priorities.

Bank fairs strengthen coordination between women's groups and the bank. Understanding the groups' financial needs, explaining the loan process, getting the required documents completed and keeping banking transactions transparent are given particular importance.

Women's self-help groups are becoming an effective vehicle of rural development. The women's journey, which began with savings, is now reaching industry, business, production, sales and economic self-reliance. The Umed mission is raising awareness among village women about financial dealings, and coordination with banks is making it easier to obtain the financial support needed for their businesses.

Ravindra Suryawanshi, tehsil mission manager of the Jalgaon Panchayat Samiti, was present as chief guest and guided the women on livelihoods. Swapnil Sonar, tehsil manager (financial inclusion), explained financial literacy to the women. Swarnesh Gajbhiye, BM, and Pramod Dhamale, DBM, of Union Bank of India, Nasirabad, were also present and guided the women of the self-help groups.