(a): whether the Government has taken steps to assist the women members of the Self Help Group to promote their products;
(b): if so, the details thereof;
(c): whether the Government has proposed to assist in their marketing strategies; and
(d): if so, the details thereof alongwith the steps, being taken by the Government to empower the rural women in the promotion of Khadi Village Industries?
MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES (SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): Under the Central Government`s Rural Employment Generation
Programme (REGP), implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries
Commission (KVIC), self-help groups (SHGs), including those formed
by women entrepreneurs, are assisted, with effect from 01 April
2005, in setting up village industries by providing margin money
assistance through the KVIC and loans though public sector
commercial banks, etc., 127 projects have been sanctioned to women
SHGs under the REGP till 31 March 2005.
(c)&(d): KVIC also provides marketing support to such SHGs by way
of assistance to participate in exhibitions and in the sale of
their products through outlets of KVIC, State Khadi and Village
Industries Boards(KVIBs) and institutions affiliated to KVIC/State
KVIBs. In addition, entrepreneurs in rural areas, including women,
are also provided training for skill development and capacity
building through training centers of KVIC, State KVIBs, State
KVIBs and institutions affiliated to KVIC/State KVIBs.