BMC initiative to help women with self-employment opportunities

In an aim to help women secure some income, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is going to help women with financial assistance in their self-employment opportunities. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will distribute certificates to the recipients of this scheme in an event organized at Chunabhatti’s Somaiya Maidan, Sion - Mumbai.

BMC had announced Social Impact Initiative' (SII) in the civic budget for the year 2023-24 which aims to provide female empowerment and financial aid to those lacking funds for their business. In the budget, Rs. 250 crores have been allocated by the civic administration to be distributed to women self-help groups, and individuals belonging to lower-income families as financial assistance to support their self-employment business. In the SII program, 25 crores have been kept aside to give financial aid to the differently-abled. Even though they are psychically challenged, they want to run their business and earn a living. Under this program, they receive the benefits of free travel, help with equipment and machinery purchases and so on.

The BMC officials expressed that through this SII program, they want to help women to become financially strong and change their standard of living. Out of the allotted Rs 250 crore, Rs 100 crore has been specially assigned to help economically-weak women who wish to pursue higher education and assist them with the purchase of e-vehicles for self-employment. The balance funds are reserved for the purchase of sewing machines, spice-making equipment and other machines used for running their business.