Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 01:
The 10th anniversary of the Macha Leima Micro Finance Project was celebrated today at its office complex.
The celebration was graced by human rights activist Sakhi Leima as chief guest and chairperson of the monitoring committee of the micro finance project Borkanya as functional president.
Speaking on the occasion, project director Laikhuram Chanu Kethabi said that the Macha Leima Micro Finance Project was instituted in 1997.The basic objective of the project is to encourage diligent women engaged themselves in different vocations by providing them financial assistance, she said.
After collecting money from some individuals who would not charge interest, four self-help groups were set up at Keibi, Oinam, Wangoo and Heirok.
To 87 members of these SHGs, Macha Leima extended financial assistance of Rs 2,07,200 in the initial stage of the project, recalled Kethabi.
In 2000, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation based at Guwahati extended a loan of Rs 15 lakhs towards the micro finance project.
With the money, the number of SHGs was increased and the amount loaned to them was also enhanced, she said.
For the second time, NEDFI sanctioned a loan of Rs 30 lakhs for the project in 2004.At present, 122 SHGs have been enrolled under the project with 1145 total number of women members.
Till date, Rs 110.47 lakhs have been invested in these SHGs.
As a part of the function clothes and other items produced by the SHGs were also exhibited.