Industries and School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra on Sunday assured all support from the State Government for the development of women entrepreneurship in the village industry sector.
Addressing a Women Entrepreneurs’ Meet organised by the Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) here, he said the Government would provide all support if the KVIB takes some initiative in developing some industrial estates for dedicated women entrepreneurs in the village industry sector.
He also pressed for formation of industrial or Gramodyog Parks to promote women entrepreneurship. He exhorted all small and marginal women entrepreneurs to form clusters to avail loans and other Government subsidies.
Under the ensuing Industry Policy Resolution-2015, the State Government would focus on developing the technical knowhow of women startups entrepreneurs through cluster approach, he added.
Speaking on female foeticide, Mishra expressed his pleasure over the sex ratio (females per thousand males) in the State that now stands at 978. He informed that according to the 2011 Census, the sex ratio in eight districts, Nuapada, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, is above 1,000. Rayagada has topped the list with 1,048 females. MSME Secretary Panchanan Dash said development of education and entrepreneurship development at the grassroots level can only ensure women empowerment in the society.
Besides, an open-house discussion involving representatives from various organisations was held to bring out various feedbacks to ensure more and more women entrepreneurship. Various challenges and opportunities in this direction were discussed.
Among others, KVIB President Tejeswar Parida, Secretary Remish Kerketta and State Commissioner for Disabled Children Kasturi Mohapatra spoke.