Bommai buys saree for wife at fair, hints at bank to boost women entrepreneurs

Karnataka CM Bommai inaugurated the 10 days 'National Sanjeevini Saras Mela' to provide financial assistance for women's self-help groups organised by National Rural and Urban Livelihood Campaign.

Bengaluru(Karnataka): Karnataka government is all set to establish the 'anchor bank' to meet the financial needs of women's self-help groups, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday while inaugurating the 10-day 'National Sanjeevini Saras Mela' at National College Grounds organized by National Rural and Urban Livelihood Campaign. Before inaugurating, the CM went around the stalls in the fair and purchased a saree for his wife by paying Rs 2500. He appreciated the weavers and artisans for the attractive products on sale.

Bommai said the anchor bank will ensure the financial help within a one-month duration thus enabling the women's self-help groups entrepreneurs to commence their work at the earliest. An amount of Rs 500 cr grant has been provided in the budget to strengthen Women's Self Help Groups which are estimated to create four lakh women economically self-reliant.

The Karnataka government has allocated Rs 47,000 crores for women's welfare and Rs 43,000 crores for children's welfare scheme. The state government will issue an order within a week to implement these intended programs. Bommai also stated that the government is taking all measures to empower women who are in the 70 percent group so that they also will be able to engage in economic activities which contribute to the GSDP.