Women entrepreneurs have achieved
remarkable success. The Small Industries Development
Organisation (SIDO), the various State Small Industries
Development Corporations (SSIDCs), the nationalised
banks and even NGOs are conducting various programmes
including Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs).
To cater to the needs of potential women entrepreneurs,
who may not have adequate educational background and
skills, SIDO has introduced process/product oriented
EDPs in areas like TV repairing, printed circuit boards,
leather goods, screen printing etc. A special prize
to "Outstanding Women Entrepreneur" of the
year is being given to recognise achievements made by
and to provide incentives to women entrepreneurs. The
Office of DC (SSI) has also opened a Women Cell to provide
coordination and assistance to women entrepreneurs facing
specific problems.
There are also several other schemes of the government
like the Income Generating Scheme, implemented by the
Department of Women and Child Development, which provides
assistance for setting up training-cum-income generating
activities for needy women to make them economically
independent. The Small Industries Development Bank of
India (SIDBI) has been implementing two special schemes
for women namely Mahila Udyam Nidhi which is an exclusive
scheme for providing equity to women entrepreneurs and
the Mahila Vikas Nidhi which offers developmental assistance
for pursuit of income generating activities to women.
The SIDBI has also taken initiative to set up an informal
channel for credit needs on soft terms giving special
emphasis to women. Over and above this, SIDBI also provides
training for credit utilisation as also credit delivery
skills for the executives of voluntary organisations
working for women. Grant for setting up a production
unit is also available under Socio-Economic Programme
of Central Social Welfare Board.
