GHMC Launches ₹410 Crore Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme for Women

After the successful launch of the Mahalakshmi free bus scheme, the state government, in its bid to make women from economically weaker sections self-reliant, has decided to establish 7,000 enterprises with a financial outlay of ₹ 410 crore in different parts of the city this financial year, under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme. The task will be executed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). 

Approximately, 1,000 group enterprises will come up in 30 of its circles apart from 6,000 individual enterprises.

Each group enterprise will be extended financial assistance of ₹ 20 lakh, while each individual enterprise will get assistance of ₹ 3.50 lakh. “GHMC will provide financial assistance to women through banks and various state and central government schemes. They will also get subsidies based on the business they choose in order to reduce the repayment burden,” said an official from the



corporation.

Meanwhile, the civic body has decided to conduct training programmes for the eligible beneficiaries and also get them orders. “Orders will pertain to stitching uniforms,” said another senior official from the corporation. GHMC is also developing a mobile app that will act as a service provider for gated communities for availing services like baby day care centres, domestic help and maintenance, among others.

Presently, the focus areas of group enterprises according to GHMC data are swashakti canteens, catering services, food processing units, cold storages and MeeSeva centres among others. Similarly, businesses proposed for individual enterprises include vegetable stalls, dairy product outlets, mike and sound sets and beauty and wellness centres. The corporation's action plan is to ensure that women from economically weaker sections turn entrepreneurs under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme.