SHG members seek action against animator who allegedly failed to repay their loan installment

Seeking action against the animator for allegedly misappropriating the self-help groups’ funds without repaying the loan installment and the savings in the bank, self-help group members submitted petition during the weekly grievances redressal meeting held at the Collectorate on Monday.

The petitioners, led by M. Devika of Thonithurai near Palayamkottai said 43 members affiliated to three SHGs functioning in Thonithurai village had availed ₹25 lakh as loan from a Palayamkottai-based nationalised bank in February 2024 and were repaying the loan installment and their savings to the bank through Ms. Devika. After her husband’s untimely demise, Ms. Devika, who could not properly manage the accounts of the SHGs, handed over the responsibility to a woman, who was also the member of one of the SHGs.

“We made her the active member and animator to take the responsibility of paying the savings of the SHGs and loan repayment installments in the bank. However, after collecting the savings and the loan repayment to the tune of ₹10 lakh from the SHG members, she did not remit the same in the bank for more than a year. As we came to know about this misappropriation of funds, she revealed that she had used this amount for the house she built and agreed to settle the amount. When she could not keep her promise, we filed a complaint with Seevalaperi police and she gave an undertaking in black and white that she would settle the amount within three months. Since she returned only ₹1 lakh and refuses to give the remaining ₹9 lakh, the Collector should direct the police to register case against the woman,” Ms. Devika said.

On behalf of the Kandigaiperi Tank farmers, AIADMK’s Tirunelveli district secretary Thatchai N. Ganesaraja submitted a petition seeking the removal of water hyacinth and lotus obstructing the free flow of water from the Kandigaiperi Tank to the ranches.

“Since the water weeds are obstructing the flow of water to over 2,000 acres of lands where paddy has been raised, the district administration should immediately remove it,” Mr. Ganesa Raja said.

Condemning the Thaazhaiyooththu town panchayat’s alleged failure to fulfill the basic amenities of the residents, the Social Democratic Party of India members submitted a petition. While collecting all the taxes payable to the town panchyat, the urban local body had not given drinking water connection to the houses under the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Scheme in Camilla Nagar and Sri Nagar while all the roads in these two areas were in the worst shape.

“The SDPI will mobilise the public against the town panchayat administration if the residents’ basic needs are not met,” the petitioners said.

Seeking compensation to the farmers for the black gram and green gram destroyed in heavy downpour in 2024 in the district, a petition was submitted. “Even though the farmers had submitted all the relevant documents after the survey by the officials, the farmers are yet to get the compensation,” the petitioners said.

On behalf of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, its state deputy secretary Bilal Raja submitted petition seeking stringent action against those who supplied liquor to the Class 9 students of a government-aided higher secondary school in Palayamkottai and regular counselling for the school and college students against alcoholism and drug abuse.

He said the videos showing the Class 9 girl students of the government-aided higher secondary school consuming liquor that went viral on social media had shocked the public, especially the parents. Hence, the police should investigate and identify the persons who handed over liquor bottles to the girl children.

Moreover, the government, which is selling liquor, should also regularly conduct counselling sessions in the schools and the colleges to save the younger generation from alcoholism and drug abuse, Mr. Bilal Raja said.