Gemi Diriya takes a 'fair' turn

The 'Gemi Diriya' programme launched by the Nation Building Ministry has achieved rapid progress during the last three years since its inception with women taking the lead role in its activities, a spokesman for the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Ministry said.

'Gemi Diriya' had 159,662 share holders at the end of February this year of which 103,785 were women. The spokesman added that almost 95 per cent of decision making management positions in the 'Gemi Diriya' savings and credit organisations were held by women. There are 5,745 management positions in these organisations and 3,814 of them are held by women. The chairmanship of 869 rural savings and credit organisations are held by women.

Total savings in Gemi Diriya savings and credit organisations amounted to Rs. 106 million. This included the mandatory daily saving of one rupee made by each shareholder and other savings. Most who benefit from these savings were small women's groups. Ministry sources said total project loans extended by the community amounted to Rs. 602 million and Rs. 476 of it had been granted to women.

Another batch of 1,500 women were employed in these savings and credit organisations as accounts clerks. Dividends were paid to shareholders from the Rs. 20 million credit fund and Rs. 50 million earnings from interest had been invested on the development of the respective villages.