Andhra Pradesh: Bankers reluctant to give loans to ‘positive’ women

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Andhra Pradesh - Guntur: Bankers reluctant to give loans

to `positive' women

P.

Society For Integrated Rural Development (SFIRD),

extends financial aid to 47 beneficiaries

8 children affected with HIV/AIDS were given Rs.200

Issue to be taken up at District Consultative Meet

GUNTUR: The hopes of scores of HIV/AIDS affected persons to secure a

decent livelihood for themselves and their families are being dashed,

as bankers are reluctant to extend minimum financial assistance. Even

those affected, and part of the Self Help Groups, were being denied

their rightful share of loans.

" They (bankers) say that we may die at any time and so are not sure

of repaying the loan, " said an HIV positive woman from Nizampatnam at

a meet organised by Society For Integrated Rural Development (SFIRD),

a voluntary organisation working among the HIV affected persons in

the Tsunami affected coastal regions of the State.

Tulasamma, wife of a fisherman lost her husband two years ago and has

been battling all odds to eke out a decent livelihood. Her husband

died of HIV/AIDS and the infection has now spread to her two sons. " I

was turned away by my parents and my in-laws. I had to share the

meagre monthly income with my sister, who runs a small vegetable shop

in the village, " she said.

On the brink

Her plight is shared by scores of women, who have lost their husbands

and shunned by their near and dear ones. " It is poverty rather than

the disease, which has been driving many affected persons to commit

suicide, " said SFIRD director Ravi Pradeep. The organisation has been

extending financial assistance of Rs.3,000 to some of the families.

He said that women could explore self-employment avenues like

tailoring, setting up of a small vegetable market or a telephone box.

He said that the financial assistance was being funded by Action Aid

and the assistance had been extended to 47 beneficiaries so far.

As many as eight children affected with HIV/AIDS were given Rs.200

each to meet their nutritional needs. " We would even provide money to

level the ground for the beneficiaries of Indiramma scheme, " he says.

Deputy Youth Welfare Officer V. Mark said that he would take up the

issue of extending financial assistance to victims with bankers at

the District Consultative Meet to be held soon. He further said that

he would take up the issue of disbursement of widow pensions with the

mandal level officers.

http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/18/stories/2007091855350500.htm