PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday announced that the State government has notified the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Scheme for women self-help groups (SHGs), fulfilling the 2023-24 Budget promise.
The scheme, set to come into force from November 1, allows these SHGs to operate canteens in various government departments, institutions, corporate sectors, agencies, institutes, and boards at a nominal rent.
“The primary goal of this initiative is to empower women and provide them with a means of self-sustainability. It also presents a valuable livelihood opportunity for women SHGs,” the CM said while interacting live with the Swayampurna Mitra on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
The CM also encourages these groups to register with the Department of Rural Development to take full advantage of the benefits under the scheme.
Around 4,000 SHGs registered under urban planning and municipal management can now seize this opportunity. The CM’s promise during the Assembly session was to enhance the dining experience of every Goan by offering iconic dishes like fish curry and rice and Bhaji Pav at subsidized rates in government/corporation canteens.
The government has tentatively decided that it would lease out canteens to SHGs at a nominal monthly rent of Rs 1,000 in addition to water and power bill expenses, with the condition of serving quality food and that they must make available Bhaji Pav for breakfast and fish curry rice for lunch.
“Earlier the rent would be around Rs 10,000 which was not feasible for the SHGs, as a result of which, it had shut. We are implementing this scheme from November 1 wherein the concerned heads of Departments will float the tender. The SHGs can approach...even at the village level through the panchayats,” he said.
