These are all part of the Fadnavis government's latest proposal to support and attract women entrepreneurs from across India to invest in the state
Three incubation centres, 10 industrial clusters, Rs50 crore venture capital fund, 15-30 per cent capital subsidy, lower power tariff, special skill training centres and branding-marketing support. These are all part of the Fadnavis government's latest proposal to support and attract women entrepreneurs from across India to invest in the state.
The proposed policy, titled "The Women Entrepreneurs Industrial Policy" and probably first of its kind in India, seeks to reserve 5 per cent of land in all MIDCs (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) for aspiring women industrialists.
A capital subsidy of 15-30 per cent and electricity tariff rebate of Rs1-2 per unit for five years (depending on the region of establishment), 5 per cent interest subsidy and 20 per cent procurement support are among major incentives to be offered to women to establish Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The proposed policy, a copy of which is available with DNA, will cover medium and small enterprises with 100 per cent shareholding by women. Women's units will get additional incentives for employing 51 per cent or more women in their staff.
The draft of the policy has been prepared by the Industries Department which acknowledges women entrepreneurship as an important source of sustained economic development and social progress, gender discrimination in the society and also challenges of women who aspire to become entrepreneurs. The department is currently seeking feedback from other departments after which it would go for cabinet approval.
The plan assumes significance considering the fact that the share of women driven enterprises in Maharashtra is merely 9 per cent despite being hailed as an industry-friendly state, states Industries department's figures. The national average is around 13.8%. With the policy, the government hopes to take this figure to 20% in five years.
A highly placed government official told DNA, "This policy aims to make Maharashtra a globally competitive business destination that promotes economic and social change through women driven enterprises for inclusive growth. We wish to place Maharashtra as the most women entrepreneur-friendly state with the highest number of women entrepreneurs."The policy will be in force for five years from the date of its implementation.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Women entrepreneurs")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}