Tue Sep 16 15:09:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:
**Tamil Nadu Empowers Women SHGs with ID Cards and Loan Boost**
**Salem, Tamil Nadu – September 16, 2025** – In a move aimed at further empowering women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the distribution of identity cards and loan provisions totaling ₹3,500 crore to SHG members across the state on Tuesday. The event took place at the Karuppur Engineering College premises in the Salem district.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Stalin highlighted the significant role of SHGs in Tamil Nadu, stating that over five lakh such groups are currently functioning within the state. He explained that the initiative to issue identity cards stemmed from a request made by women SHG members during a government function in Tiruvarur five months prior. This request was brought to the attention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who subsequently announced the ID card distribution on March 8th.
“Tamil Nadu was the first State to start Women SHG in 1989 and now it is the first to issue identity cards to them,” Mr. Udhayanidhi proudly proclaimed.
These ID cards will unlock a range of benefits for SHG members, including free travel on government buses for transporting their products up to 100 kilometers. Furthermore, discounts will be offered at Aavin (milk products), Co-optex (textiles), and Mudhalvar Marunthagam (pharmacies).
Mr. Udhayanidhi also lauded existing initiatives supporting women, such as the Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, which has facilitated 770 crore trips for women in the past four-and-a-half years, and the Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, providing ₹1,000 monthly assistance to 1.15 crore women beneficiaries. He noted that the Chief Minister is working to expand the eligibility for the monthly assistance program.
In a veiled jab at opposition parties, Mr. Udhayanidhi commented on their increasing use of buses for campaigning, confidently predicting that the ruling DMK’s “Pink bus” (alluding to the party’s focus on women’s welfare) would ultimately triumph over the “green and yellow buses” associated with AIADMK and TVK respectively. He asserted his confidence that the DMK would retain power in the 2026 elections.
Following the inauguration, Mr. Udhayanidhi conducted a review meeting at the Salem Collectorate, engaging with department officials to assess the progress of ongoing development projects and urging them to meet stipulated deadlines. He also inquired about the status of petitions received through the Ungaludan Stalin scheme. Later in the day, he flagged off new low-floor buses for the TNSTC, Salem Division.
Tourism Minister R. Rajendran, MLAs R. Arul and S. Sathasivam, and other government officials were present at the events.