To boost employment, Telangana mulls reviving self-help groups (SHGs) for disabled; plans include microloans & skill training

HYDERABAD: In an effort to empower people with disabilities, the state govt is looking at reviving self-help groups for people with disablities which would provide them self-employment opportunities as well as improve their financial status.
There are around 10 lakh disabled persons residing in the state, according to the 2011 Census data.
Similar to women's self-help groups (SHGs), plans are afoot to set up these SHGs for the disabled where priority would be given to savings. While there were about 70,000 such groups in the past, many have become inactive after 2016. The govt plans to reactivate these groups as well as establish new ones.
Guidelines are currently being prepared under the supervision of Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP).
Officials are working on modalities such as membership numbers, monthly savings amounts and collection procedures in areas lacking banking facilities. Once all considerations are finalised, guidelines are expected to be issued.
In the past, each group consisted of six to seven members. To join a group, an Aadhaar card and a local address will be mandatory.
In urban areas, staff from Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas will provide assistance.
These SHGs would help with microloans for agricultural and non-agricultural activities. Support for technical and vocational training, marketing facilities and subsidised financing will also be available, officials said.

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