How Is ₹2 Crore Helping Marginalised Families Build Their Own Livelihoods?

The Chennai Social Service Society (MSSS) has allocated ₹2 crore to support livelihood initiatives for marginalised families, helping them start or expand small businesses and work towards greater economic self-reliance. The announcement was made in Chennai on September 23, 2026. The allocation forms part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of the chairman of MSSS. Through its livelihood loan scheme, the organisation provides financial assistance every six months to women’s self-help groups and vulnerable and economically disadvantaged communities across 14 blocks of the Chennai-Tiruvallur district federation. Special priority is given to groups that do not have access to formal banking facilities. The scheme is designed to provide them with financial support to develop income-generating activities and strengthen their household incomes. The loans are being used for a wide range of livelihood activities. These include goat and dairy farming, grocery and petty shops, clothing businesses, handicrafts, tailoring, pickle-making, jewellery sales, milk businesses, four-wheeler rentals and roadside food stalls. According to MSSS, the livelihood loan programme has maintained a 100 per cent repayment rate, with beneficiaries returning the loans through monthly instalments. This revolving approach enables financial assistance to continue reaching other eligible families and groups. Livelihood development remains an important part of the social outreach of MSSS. Under the direction of its director, Fr C. M. Victor Ramesh, the initiative focuses on strengthening family incomes and helping vulnerable communities develop sustainable sources of livelihood. By supporting small businesses and self-employment, the programme seeks to help families move towards greater economic independence while providing opportunities for women and economically disadvantaged communities to participate more actively in local economic life. The ₹2 crore allocation therefore represents not only financial assistance but also an effort to promote long-term livelihood development among communities facing economic challenges.