Chandrababu Naidu government is planning to implement a new scheme to benefit the women in Dwcra communities. The TDP coalition government has already announced to start the scheme of free gas cylinders for women from Diwali. Soon, efforts were made to implement schemes like free bus travel for women and girl child funds.
But before this, the Andhra Pradesh government hopes to implement a scheme brought by the central government to the Dwcra communities in the state. The government is already providing interest-free loans to Dwacra women. In addition to these, the central government is planning to implement the SFURTI scheme for women in the state.
With the intention of supporting the farmers and artisans, the Center has brought this incentive scheme. SFURTI stands for Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries. The Center brought this scheme in late 2005. In 2022, the central government has further expanded this scheme to develop micro, small and medium industries cluster-wise.
The scheme supports the development of Khadi industry, cottage industry, medicinal plant industry, beekeeping, agro-based, food processing units, polymers, chemical-based industries, fiber industry, textile industries. It provides support in infrastructure, technology upgradation, training, designs, marketability, packaging etc. with the objective of increasing the income of the artisans.
Rs. 2.5 crores for the development of clusters with 500 or less artisans and up to Rs. 5 crores for the development of major clusters with more than 500 artisans under the scheme will be spent. The AP Government has started the exercise to implement this scheme as Dwcra Women’s Centre.
As part of this, clusters will be formed in the districts first. Each cluster consists of 1000 to 1500 Dwacra women from different livelihoods. There are 26 districts in Andhra Pradesh and one project has been identified for each district.
However, in the first phase, clusters will be established only in 11 districts this year. Central government will give Rs.5 crore for each project. 90 percent of this is the grant from the center and 10 percent has to be contributed by the beneficiaries. Or the State Govt is likely to pay.
As part of this project, the authorities will set up a common facility center. Also, processing units, warehouses for storage of commodities and crop products will be established. The women in the clusters have to collect and sell the produce from time to time. The income from this is shared by all. The National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation in Hyderabad will act as the nodal agency for this.
