Govt mulls separate trade zones for women

In a bid to make women self-reliant, the Maharashtra government is planning to demarcate separate zones for them across the state, where they can run their own business after availing special licenses and movable stalls.

Women and Child Development Minister Varsha Gaikwad on Friday said the suggestion in this regard was made by her father and Congress MP Eknath Gaikwad.

In order to make women self dependent enabling her to assist family financially, a separate zone would be demarcated where in women can setup their own business.

"Men won't be allowed to set up their business there. The zone will be restricted only for women to run their small-scale business," he said. The minister said that her department is preparing a comprehensive plan to avail work opportunities for women across Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra.

"It is important for women to be employed as they can earn money for themselves and for their families. We are working on a programme that will involve availing special licenses and movable stalls to women SHGs to start business under flyovers and bridges across Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra," Gaikwad said after inaugurating an exhibition cum sale of products made by women SHGs in suburban Bandra. She also stressed on improving marketing skills in women to sell their products. "We are also thinking of arranging special training camps to imbibe marketing and packaging knowledge in these women," Gaikwad added.