Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that the Delhi government will provide collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore to women-led start-ups and self-help groups in the national capital. She also said the government will provide platforms in malls and large shopping complexes across the city to help indigenous products made by women self-help groups reach a wider market.
advertisement
Gupta said the measures were part of a wider effort to make women in the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial and economically empowered. She said the Delhi government would itself act as guarantor for such loans extended to women start-ups and self-help groups.
In a statement, Gupta said, “We are working on a wider scale to make the women of the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and economically empowered. Arrangements have been made for providing collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 crore to women self-help groups and startups.” She added that the Delhi government itself would stand guarantor for these loans.
She made the remarks while addressing the inauguration of the two-day ‘Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026’ organised in Rohini on Saturday. Gupta said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently promoted the vision of ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘One District, One Product’. According to her, the SHG Mela was an effort to promote indigenous products prepared by women and connect them with the wider market.
Around 24 self-help groups participated in the fair, where handicrafts, crochet work, khadi, household products, food items and other handmade products were exhibited and sold. Handicrafts under the ‘One District, One Product’ initiative of North-West Delhi district were also showcased at the event.
Gupta said people often preferred foreign brands even though Indian handicrafts, khadi, household products and handmade items were comparable in quality. “The only requirement is better branding and marketing of these products,” she said. She also appealed to people to use more local and indigenous products instead of foreign goods.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel, use public transport and adopt indigenous products, Gupta said the Delhi government was also promoting campaigns such as ‘Monday metro’ and ‘No Vehicle Day’. “If people make small changes in their daily routine, it will directly benefit the country,” she said.
The announcements on collateral-free loans, market access for women-made indigenous products and campaigns linked to public transport and local goods formed the key focus of Gupta’s address at the mela.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
