National Market Access for Women’s Savings Groups Products – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Mumbai : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the implementation of an artificial intelligence-based digital marketing app to make products manufactured by women’s savings groups and women entrepreneurs in the state accessible at the national level. He emphasized increasing the number of savings groups in urban areas and suggested setting up stalls for these groups on school grounds of the Zilla Parishad during holidays. Additionally, he urged that goods produced by self-help groups in rural areas should be made available in urban markets.

A meeting on this topic was held at Sahyadri Guest House, attended by Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. I. S. Chahal, Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Brijesh Singh, among others.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Shinde noted that funds from the Chief Minister’s Beloved Sister Scheme have started being deposited into the accounts of women across the state. He mentioned that after interacting with some of the beneficiaries, it became evident that many women intend to use this money to start small businesses. Therefore, it is crucial to create market opportunities for the small-scale businesses that these women are establishing.

Approximately 7.82 lakh self-help groups are operating in the state, including about 6 lakh under Umed, 31 thousand under NULM, 87 thousand in rural areas, and 65 thousand under MAVIM. The Chief Minister urged municipalities to take the initiative in setting up stalls for goods produced by women in metropolitan areas, particularly in open spaces and on grounds for a few days, to ensure these groups have access to the right markets.

Products from savings groups are in high demand, and recognizing this, the Chief Minister instructed Umed, NULM, and MAVIM to collaborate and create a platform to bring these products to the national market. Additionally, the concept of creating digital job cards for unorganized workers through the Dharamveer Anand Dighe Maharojgar app was presented at the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning Department Rajgopal Deora, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Govindaraj, Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Anup Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Information and Technology Department Parag Jain, Principal Secretary of the Rural Development Department Eknath Dawle, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, Finance Department Secretary Shaila A., and Secretary of the Skill Development Department Ganesh Patil, among others.