Women entrepreneurs to get incentives

Mumbai: In a bid to boost the participation of women in business arena, the state government has declared incentives for women entrepreneurs. The state will give incentives for the first time, for capital cost also, ranging from 15-35 per cent (Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore) as per location of the industry. The government expects to generate Rs 2,000 crore worth of investment and a lakh jobs through this scheme.

“We will make provision of Rs 641.11 crore in five years,” said industry minister Subhash Desai. Malls, business centres will get 10-15 per cent extra FSI if they sell places to women entrepreneurs. The government will provide financial help to women to participate in exhibitions and provide upto 75 per cent rent of place and for international exhibition aid up to Rs 3 lakh. Women entrepreneurs will get 15-35 per cent capital cost for five years when production will start. Reservation will be provided for women entrepreneurs at railway station, bus stand, airport, markets etc,” Mr Desai said.

The state cabinet approved the women entrepreneur policy on Tuesday. The state is lagging behind in women entrepreneurship — only 9 per cent of women entrepreneurs are there in Maharashtra when compared with the country, which has 13.8 per cent.

The industry department has declared this policy to increase it up to 20 per cent,” Mr Desai said.

To avail benefits under this scheme, the administration control and board of directors will have to be all women. Also minimum 50 per cent employees should be women. “Existing units also can be converted into women run industry,” officials said.

The women and child welfare department said that the women economic development council’ should be appointed as a nodal agency but the industry department has refused. The finance department has asked it to first to finalise the industrial policy after GST and till then provide own funds.