VIJAYAWADA: The state government has reiterated that it is committed to women’s empowerment.In a statement on the eve of the International Women’s Day, the government said all promises made during the 2014 assembly elections have been fulfilled. Post- bifurcation of the state in 2014, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has laid a formidable base for women’s empowerment at the grassroots. Women self-help groups (SHGs) continue to remain the network force for rural women.“With an aim to raise minimum household income of women to Rs 10,000 per month, the government has implemented several schemes and programmes through the Society for Elimination Rural Poverty (SERP) and Velugu programme. Lakhs of micro-financing groups have been set up. To strengthen the women groups further, the government has waived Rs 2,514 crore interest on loans for 6.56 lakh DWCRA groups,” the statement said.Stating that 55,607 Anganwadi centres were opened under 257 Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) projects, the statement said employment was provided to 55,607 Anganwadi teachers and 48,770 Aayas (nannies). The government is spending Rs 228 crore a year on midday meals for 9.11 lakh children.The government has launched ‘Srinidhi’, an integrated fund to help poor women with loans. The government has devised rules to sanction loans up to Rs 1 lakh for women in need. In the last four years, the government released Rs 3,000 crore under ‘Srinidhi’ as loans to DWCRA groups. Under Pasupu-Kumkuma scheme, government released Rs 9,794 crore to 97.94 lakh members of SHGs.Through ‘Chandranna Pelli Kanuka’, about 66,000 SC, ST, BC, minority and visually challenged young women received monetary marriage assistance worth Rs 269.17 crore.Under ‘Sabala’ programme, the government is also providing better nutrition to girls in the age group of 11 to 14. About 21, 000 girls benefit daily from the scheme.

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