Mahila Abhivruddhi Society Andhrapradesh

Origin and Evolution of APMAS In 1998, the erstwhile Government of Andhra Pradesh envisaged to set up a Women’s Bank to lend to Self-Help Groups (SHG Read mores) and SHG Federations. The key stakeholders, including Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Banks, and Micro-finance Institutions (MFIs), who were interested in strengthening the SHG movement felt that the issues at the field level and ensuring quality of SHGs needed priority rather than setting up a lending agency. The Government conducted a series of consultation meetings with state level NGOs engaged in the promotion of SHGs and NABARD. After many rounds of discussions, a working group was constituted, headed by Dr. Vijay Mahajan, which submitted a concept paper in 1998 indicating the need for the establishment of an autonomous state level institution to strengthen the SHGs and provide technical guidance to the institutions involved in promotion and strengthening of SHGs. It was suggested that an autonomous institution be registered as a Public Charitable Trust, with the name Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivruddhi Trust. Finally, after considering different options, it was felt that a ‘Society’ would be a better legal form than that of a ‘Trust’ and hence came into being Mahila Abhivruddhi Society, Andhra Pradesh (APMAS). APMAS was registered on 14 June 2001 as a public society under the Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Area) Public Societies Registration Act, 1350 Fasli and subsequently under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) on 28 October 2002 Governance and Accountability APMAS has a diversified Board with representation from the government, banks, academic and research institutions, NGOs, SHG federations and distinguished individuals. Dr. P. Kotaiah, former Chairperson of NABARD, was the founding Chairperson of APMAS. Shri. Kaki Madhava Rao IAS (Retd.), the former Chief Secretary of Government of Andhra Pradesh, is the current Chairperson. The Audit Committee ensures effective governance and advises the Board on financial matters, and monitors the accounting and internal control systems as per the accepted standards. There is an Internal Auditor who reports to the Audit Committee. The Board has constituted a Consultative Forum consisting of the SHG and farmer representatives to advise APMAS on its priorities and programmes. APMAS has well defined accounting systems and procedures, human resource policy, gender policy and the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address sexual harassment at workplace Mr. CS Reddy, the founding CEO of APMAS worked for several years with CARE International in India and has 30 years of experience in development sector. APMAS is headquartered in Hyderabad with one regional and twenty one field offices across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Bihar. It has about 100 full time staff, 6 consultants and 150 community cadres responsible for implementation of various projects. APMAS has its own 30,000 SFT building in Hyderabad with office space and residential facilities for conducting training programs and events