Provide the Benefit of Special Loan Policy Scheme for Women’s Economic Empowerment – Minister Aditi Tatkare

Meeting held at Mantralaya regarding Mumbai Bank’s special loan scheme and Anganwadi construction

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : To enable women beneficiaries of the Annasaheb Patil Economically Backward Development Corporation, Maharashtra State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, and Vasantrao Naik Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic Tribes Development Corporation to start businesses and become financially self-reliant, a special loan policy is being implemented under the Individual and Group Loan Interest Rebate Scheme. To link this loan scheme, the corporations should enter into an agreement with the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank, directed Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare.

Minister Tatkare was speaking at a meeting organized at Mantralaya regarding Mumbai Bank’s newly launched special loan schemes and Anganwadi construction. Present at the meeting were Mumbai Bank Chairman Pravin Darekar, MLA Chitra Wagh, Annasaheb Patil Development Corporation Chairman Narendra Patil, Deputy Secretary V.R. Thakur, Deputy Secretary of Finance Department Smita Nivatkar, Deputy Secretary M.P. Sable, Managing Director of Vasantrao Naik Development Corporation Pratap Pawar, and General Manager of Maharashtra OBC Finance and Development Corporation Anand Lomte, among others.

The Minister said that Mumbai Bank should be authorized for interest rebate schemes and a memorandum of understanding should be signed immediately. Beneficiary women under the interest rebate schemes will also be given benefits under the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and hence cannot be declared ineligible. Special instructions in this regard should be issued. Through this scheme, eligible women in Mumbai will be assisted in becoming financially empowered.

Under this initiative of Mumbai Bank, women will be able to avail loans of up to ₹1 lakh. Groups of 5 to 10 women can start businesses together. Loans ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 will be provided, informed Mumbai Bank Chairman Pravin Darekar. Mumbai Bank has a total of 16.07 lakh savings accounts in Mumbai, of which 53,357 women have opened zero-balance accounts under the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Eligible women are receiving ₹1,500 per month directly into their accounts from the government.

Uniformity and Modern Technology in Anganwadi Construction

Minister Tatkare instructed that Anganwadi construction across the state should follow a uniform model and incorporate modern technology. While setting up Anganwadis, a standardized approach must be adopted throughout the state. Priority should be given to solar projects for electricity supply to promote energy conservation. Immediate measures should also be taken to improve the quality of nutritional meals provided at Anganwadis.

She further emphasized that Anganwadis play a crucial role in the holistic development of children, and the government is committed to ensuring that children receive the best quality health and education.