Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

SHGs foray into mineral water

Staff Reporter

Collector inaugurates sale under this innovative project

QUALITY ACHIEVEMENT: Members of the Odenthurai SHG Women Federation receiving the ISI certification for the `Suham' packaged drinking water from BIS representative P. Radhakrishnan (third from right) at a function in the city on Monday. Collector Nee raj Mittal (second right) and DRDA Project Officer S. Jeyakumar, look on. - Photo: K. Ananthan

Coimbatore: District Collector Neeraj Mittal on Monday inaugurated the sale of `Suham', mineral water manufactured by women self-help groups (SHG) here.

The `Odanthurai SHG Women Federation', formed by 48 SHGs, embarked on the `Odanthurai SUHAM Packed Drinking Water' project. A plant was established at Oomapalayam, Odanthurai in Karamadai block.

Mr. Mittal said this was an innovative project of the SHGs in the entire State. It aimed at providing employment and earning opportunities to more than 50 members.

Of the total cost of the project of Rs. 21.25 lakh, the Government sanctioned a Rs. 5-lakh subsidy under the SGSY scheme for 2005-06 and Rs. 1.25 lakh under the SGSY infrastructure, said R. Shanmugam, Odanthurai panchayat president, who is also the chairman of the federation. The Avarampalayam branch of the Central Bank of India sanctioned a loan of Rs. 15 lakh. P. Radhakrishnan of the Bureau of Indian Standards handed over the quality certification document to N. Yasodha of the Tamarai SHG.

Water is processed under the reverse osmosis system with cent per cent guarantee for purity. ISI certification has been obtained for ensuring standards in purification. The cost of this packaged water will be competitive compared to the branded products in the market. Water rejected during the treatment process is used for gardening and washing. Now, the project has a capacity to produce 225 cans of 20-litre capacity a day.

The federation will get a net profit of Rs. 2,936 a day after giving wages to the members at Rs. 80 each. It has been proposed to sell water cans through the Rabindranath Tagore SHG for men in Coimbatore city in the first phase and in other municipalities in the district in subsequent phases.

K. Sivakumar of the Rabindranath Tagore SHG received the product from the Collector for marketing.

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