(a) whether the Department of Posts has tied up with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to disburse
micro credit to women self-help groups;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the scheme will be introduced in all the post offices of the country;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor;
(e) the rate of interest to be paid by the self-help groups on the micro credit; and
(f) the commission proposed to be charged by the Post Offices from the NABARD?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) & (b) A Memorandum of Understanding was entered into with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) by Tamil Nadu Postal Circle to disburse micro credit to women Self Help Groups (SHG) in five identified districts
of Tamil Nadu as a Pilot Project. Details of the Pilot Project is given at Annexure.
(c) & (d) There is no proposal to introduce the scheme in all the post offices of the country.The Memorandum of
Understanding is applicable for only five (5) districts of Tamil Nadu state.
(e) & (f) The rate of interest paid by the Self Help Groups is 9% per annum out of which post offices get 3% as
commission.