Mumbai: In a first of its kind in the
country, the Maharashtra cabinet today approved setting up of
self help groups (SHGs) for the upliftment and empowerment of
women belonging to minority communities.
Though the initiative is meant for the entire state,
in the first phase, it would be implemented in Mumbai, Pune,
Malegaon, Karanja, Bhiwandi, Nanded, Nagpur, Mumbra (Thane),
Miraj, Parbhani and Aurangabad.
"In eight years, an expenditure of Rs 14.14 crore is
expected," Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters
after the weekly cabinet meeting.
He said, 1600 SHGs of women from minority communities
would be set up at these 11 places.
Presently, there are 700 SHGs and the endeavour would
be to set up another 1,600 SHGs, Minorities Welfare Minister
Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan said, adding that the initiative is
first of its kind in the country.
Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) would be the
nodal agency that will engage NGOs to train the SHGs in
registration, implementation of rules, procuring low-interest
loans for starting self-employment, among others.
The initiative, targetted at women from minority
communities in urban areas, will benefit about 25,000 women.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 02, 2012, 21:25