The State government of Chhattisgarh focuses on innovation as a driver of social change. The government is venturing into fields as diverse as agriculture, health, education, skill development, mining and tribal development. Therefore, the State government has taken major policy level initiatives for the promotion of enterpreneurship.
Here are some of the initiatives and schemes for enhancing and fostering women entrepreneurship in Chhattisgarh.
> Industrial Policy for ‘Creating a New Chhattisgarh’
The Industrial Policy 2019-2024 focuses on the vision – to build a self-reliant and ever-progressing economy in the State through an integrated, inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The mission is to attain the dream of “Creating a New Chhattisgarh”, and the State is poised to use its own internal potential & natural resources by aligning and synergizing with the innovative techniques of national & multinational corporate giants to make Chhattisgarh State a self-reliant and a consistently progressing economy to uplift the living standards of the common people. To enhance necessary infrastructure in identified industrially backward development blocks & to provide maximum incentives/facilities to develop the industrial ecosystem so as to generate more job opportunities over there. To provide incentives to the mineral based core sector industries in the industrially backward development blocks in addition to agro based, horticulture based, dairy basedfood processing, minor forest produce baseband medicinal plants based industries across the State on priority, so as to enhance the income of the farmers and the people of remote forest areas engaged in collection and trade of the minor forest products.
https://industries.cg.gov.in/startupcg/pdf/policy2019-24/Industrial%20Policy%202019-
24%20English%2019-05-2020.pdf
https://industries.cg.gov.in/startupcg/Home/Policy
> Startup Chhattisgarh Scheme
The State Government of Chhattisgarh launched the Startup Chhattisgarh Scheme in the year 2022. Start-up India scheme was launched – to foster a start-up environment and for development of entrepreneurs in the state. This scheme provides better facilities and training opportunities to potential entrepreneurs who have business ideas in their mind.
The Startup Chhattisgarh Scheme 2022 aspires to encourage business ownership and independence across the state. For anyone interested in starting a new company or becoming an entrepreneur, then Startup Chhattisgarh will help you achieve your goals, effectively. By participating in the Chhattisgarh government’s startup program, you will be eligible for financial support and funding, which can set you off on your business venture.
Further, the government announced 27 boot camps – to identify start-up concepts. The state will help the chosen companies develop their ideas. The government will help with business concepts, prototypes, and market testing. The Startup Chhattisgarh Yojana would prioritize health care, animal husbandry, and value-added goods.
The state government will provide individuals with the money to start the project, and interest up to Rs 50 lakh would be free. Citizens will get funds for a core incubator-cum accelerator. The citizens’ 3-year-old fund will be released. The given funds can be used for various purposes.
https://pmmodiyojana.in/startup-chhattisgarh-scheme/
https://industries.cg.gov.in/startupcg/
> Kaushalya Matritva Scheme for women
The Kaushalya Matritva Scheme was launched in March 2022, by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel – by handing over cheques worth Rs 5,000 each to five beneficiaries to bringing up their second girl child. He had pointed out that in Chhattisgarh’s culture women were involved in the development of society, by working shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts. Women earlier lagged behind in contributing to the family economically, but the stalls of women entrepreneurs in Madai show that they have now come forward to provide monetary contribution to their family, he said.
https://www.drishtiias.com/state-pcs-current-affairs/kaushalya-matritva-yojana
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/baghel-launches-kaushalya-matritva-
scheme-for-women.html
> 7 Indian Government Initiatives to Help Women Entrepreneurs
While attempting to become entrepreneurs, even though women still have to overcome hurdles in their homes and in society, India seems poised for greater times. Some top government initiatives that can be leveraged to set up and grow your business as a female entrepreneur are listed below.
• Bharathiya Mahila Bank Business Loan
Bharathiya Mahila Bank was established for women who fester dreams of growing big, despite lack of resources. A positive move here is that it offers loans of up to ₹20 crores to female entrepreneurs looking to start a manufacturing business. If the loan amount sought is less than ₹1 crore, collateral is not required.
Even after the Bharatiya Mahila Bank amalgamated with the State Bank of India, the loan programme that began in 2017 is still available.
• Mudra Yojana Scheme
Mudra Yojana is a scheme that can be beneficial to women who seek to start or expand their own small business. Though this is not a scheme designed exclusively for women, it is highly beneficial. Women entrepreneurs can apply for a loan ranging between ₹50000 to ₹10 lakh. It is ideal for – setting up beauty salons, starting a small shop, or running a home-based business. You don’t even need any collateral or a guarantor to apply for this loan.
The scheme is divided into three categories:
• Shishu: loans up to ₹50,000/-
• Kishor: loans above ₹50,000/- and up to ₹5 lakh
• Tarun: loans above ₹5 lakh and up to₹10 lakh
Many businesses run by women have benefited from this scheme as it is easy to avail.
You can also approach any leading bank to apply for a loan under this scheme.
• Dena Shakti Scheme
Dena Shakti Scheme is a scheme that provides loans for women entrepreneurs in the
following sectors:
• Partnership firm business
• Retail stores
• Manufacturing sector
• Microcredit organisations
• Housing
• Education
If you are planning to start a business in any of the above industries, you can make use
of this scheme. The maximum loan limit is ₹20 lakhs, and the loan you can apply for will
depend on which sector you are applying under. The interest rate is set at 0.25% below
the base rate. To apply for this loan, visit the nearest Dena Bank Branch.
• Udyogini Scheme
The idea behind Udyogini Scheme is to help women from economically struggling backgrounds to become self-sufficient. It is specifically for those women who come from a family that has an income of below ₹1.5 lakhs per annum. You can avail a loan of up to ₹3 lakhs at a very low-interest rate. Even widowed, destitute, or disabled women can apply for a loan under this scheme.
While the Udyogini Scheme was started by the Karnataka State Women Development Corporation, many banks have adopted this scheme with variations. To apply for this scheme, you can either visit the website or the nearest branch of the numerous banks that offer it. Some of the banks that offer this scheme are Bajaj Finserv, Punjab and Sind Bank, and Saraswat Bank.
• Cent Kalyani Scheme
Cent Kaylani Scheme by the Central Bank of India is focussed on women wanting to start their own business. Under the scheme loans up to ₹100 lakhs are sanctioned without any collateral or processing fees.Except for self-help groups, retail trade, educational and training institutions, every other type of business is eligible under this scheme. To know more visit this website.
• Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme
The Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme was launched by Punjab National Bank and is geared towards supporting Small Scale Industries (SSI). The goal of the scheme is to promote modernisation and technological advancement in these small scale industries by providing easy loans.The maximum loan amount sanctioned under this scheme is ₹10 lakhs and the borrower gets 10 years to repay the loan. That includes a moratorium period of up to 5 years. To avail the loan you can fill up the form and submit it to the nearest Punjab National Bank branch. Many other banks like SBI also provide similar schemes.
• Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)
The government of India through NITI Aayog has started an initiative called the Women Entrepreneurship Platform that brings together women entrepreneurs and sponsors, who are willing to support them. So, it you are a budding women entrepreneur, you have the freedom to join this community.
Interestingly, the following benefits can be availed at WEP:
• Incubation and acceleration program for businesses in their initial stages
• Skill training and mentor ship programs to learn about entrepreneurship and leadership
• Assistance in marketing
• Support for ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Funding and financial assistance
• A community and network of like-minded women.
These are some of the best schemes, now in place, to help ambitious women entrepreneurs to take the first step towards financial empowerment.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
