Recently, the Assam government introduced the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA), a financial support scheme aimed at empowering rural women entrepreneurs.
- This initiative carries unique conditions, particularly focusing on the number of children women can have to qualify for the benefits.
What are the Major Points Related to the MMUA Scheme?
- Objectives of MMUA Scheme: The MMUA scheme is designed to foster the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups, transforming them into “rural micro-entrepreneurs” with a target annual income of Rs 1 lakh per member.
- Child Limitations:
- General and OBC women: Limited to three children to qualify for the scheme.
- STs and SCs: Allowed up to four children to avail benefits.
- Moran, Motok, and ‘Tea Tribes’: Subject to a four-child cap.
- Additional Conditions for Beneficiaries: In addition to child limitations, beneficiaries must fulfil two other conditions:
- Education of Girl Children: If beneficiaries have girl children, they must be enrolled in school.
- For non-school-going age girls, a signed undertaking for future enrollment is required.
- Tree Plantation Drive: Beneficiaries must ensure that trees planted under the government’s tree plantation drive, Amrit Brikshya Andolan, are surviving.
- Education of Girl Children: If beneficiaries have girl children, they must be enrolled in school.
Note
Approximately 5 lakh women from the 39 lakh involved in rural self-help groups may be excluded due to child limitations.
What are the Indian Government Initiatives Related to Women Entrepreneurship?
- Women Entrepreneurship Platform: It is a first-of-its-kind, unified access portal which brings together women from different parts of India to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations. It is an initiative of NITI Aayog.
- Mudra Yojana: This scheme provides microloans to women entrepreneurs for starting or expanding their businesses
- Stand up India Scheme: It aims at promoting entrepreneurship among women and scheduled castes and tribes.
- Mahila Coir Yojana: It is being implemented by the Coir Board for the empowerment of women artisans in the coir sector with an aim to provide self-employment opportunities to rural women artisans.