Mahila Nidhi (Women’s Fund) was set up for the social and financial progress of women. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot dedicated this fund on Women’s Equality Day. Easy loans will be given from this fund to women to develop their businesses.
He had announced to set up Mahila Nidhi (Women’s fund) the budget speech of 2022-23 through Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevia Vikas Parishad. Rajasthan has become the second state after Telangana to set up this fund. This fund has been set up for the social and economic progress of women by developing their skills and to strengthen Women Self-Help Groups, getting loans from banks and increasing the income of poor, marginal and propertyless women. Under this scheme, loans applied up to Rs 40,000 will be deposited in the bank account of the members of the group within 48 hours while a loan for more than Rs 40,000 will be deposited in the account in the next 15 days. Currently, 2.70 lakh SHGs have been formed in 33 districts of the state, with which 30 lakh families are associated. It is proposed to form 50,000 SHGs in the present financial year, in which 6 lakh families will be linked. A total of 36 lakh families in the state based on their requirements will get benefit from the Mahila Nidhi in a phased manner. The chief minister on this occasion gave a loan of Rs 1.42 crore from the Mahila Nidhi to the members of 386 SHGs of 6 districts.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika) and various banks signed MoU to appoint Business Correspondent (BC) sakhis. The BCs provide banking and other financial services at the doorstep to customers in remote areas.
A total of 4825 BC Sakhis will be appointed including 1050 by Bank of Baroda, 1284 by Rajasthan Marudhara Grameen Bank, 1700 by Vadodara Rajasthan Kshetriya Grameen Bank, 736 by ICICI Bank and 56 by HDFC Bank. These BC Sakhis will act as the main drivers of financial inclusion in the state.
It is also to mention that MoU has been signed with Amazon for the online sale of the products made by more than 15,000 SHGs and women entrepreneurs. Their products will be listed on the online marketplace and will be provided to lakhs of Amazon customers throughout the country. To strengthen the artisans and weavers community and by making them Amazon sellers will be encouraged for digital inclusion.
