Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu), Mar 16 : Women residing in the interior regions of Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu should be indebted to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) for their recent good fortune.

Under the NREGS, women have been motivated to set up cottage industries to make different items of daily use.

Known as the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), the primary objective of the scheme is to enhance livelihood security of households in rural areas. Around 8,500 rural women are working under this scheme.

"This business gives us an opportunity to lead a better life and to move forward. We earn rupees 50 per day and can manage our homes," said Yashim Bibi, a beneficiary of NREGS.

The District administration also helps these self help groups in getting financial assistance from the financial institutions and to market the products.

According to Dr. V K Shanmugham, the District Collector of Krishnagiri, the Central Government has distributed around rupees 30 crores to the self help groups to help women.

The State authorities are conducting regular workshops to train women in procuring raw material, ensuring quality control and achieving marketing objectives. (ANI)