Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurated the Commercial Motor Driving Training Programme with Self Defence Skills for Women, organised by National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) and Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes of IFCI at India Habitat Centre. Krishan Pal Gurjar and Vijay Sampla, Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, senior officers from the ministry, NSKFDC, IFCI and other dignitaries were present.
On the occasion, Gehlot mentioned that the initiative for 250 women is an excellent and unique move as it will meet the objective of women empowerment, both social and economic, by creating job/self-employment opportunities for these women, belonging to families of safai karamcharis. The self-defence skills being taught during the training, will provide confidence not only among these women drivers but would also give a sense of security to the women passengers, particularly, those who have to travel at odd hours. The said programme is of utmost importance keeping in view the increasing incidents of eve-teasing, molestation and rapes.
The minister also appreciated the initiative of NSKFDC as it serves the twin purpose of security for women and their economic empowerment, which is the foremost priority for the government. Sampla, while inaugurating the initiative, being implemented by IFCI as nodal agency, mentioned that a sum of `200 crore has been allocated towards credit enhancement guarantee for young and start-up entrepreneurs, belonging to scheduled castes, who aspire to be part of middle class category, with an objective to encourage entrepreneurship in the lower strata of the society resulting in job creation besides creating confidence in scheduled castes.
Sampla further mentioned that the said allocation is under social sector initiatives in order to promote entrepreneurship among the scheduled castes and to facilitate concessional finance to them. Mamta Sangte, martial art expert, stressed the need for women safety for which they must acquire self defence skills. Sanno Begum, first woman cab driver from Delhi and V Sarita, first woman DTC bus driver also shared their experiences at the event.