Madurai: The banking sector has recognised the sex workers' Self Help Group, at the intervention of the Madurai District Collector Dr B Chandra Mohan.

Officials told reporters on June 29 that the banking sector, which was once reluctant to even permit sex workers' SHGs open accounts in banks, had decided to extend loan facilities to enable them quit the flesh trade, if they so desired. To eliminate discrimination, the groups would also include women who were not prostitutes earlier.

The non-government organisation (NGO) Association for Rural Development (ARD) would identify 40 SHGs, under a special category. The bank would give credit linkages to the special groups based on the interest they showed in maintaining their accounts, they said.

ARD had guided 24 special SHGs to identify their leaders and representatives and peer educators, they added.

PTI