The Delhi government has announced collateral-free loans of up to ₹10 crore for women-led startups and self-help groups in the national capital. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced this initiative on Sunday, stating that the government will act as guarantor for such loans. The scheme aims to enhance market access for indigenous products made by women entrepreneurs, as part of the broader initiative to make women of the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and economically empowered.
As part of the broader initiative, the Delhi government will provide platforms in malls and large shopping complexes across the city to help indigenous products reach wider markets. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, this includes products made by women self-help groups (SHGs) such as handicrafts, crochet work, khadi, household products, food items, and other handmade products. The government is working on a wider scale to make women of the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and economically empowered.
The government organized an SHG Mela featuring around 24 self-help groups where various products were exhibited and sold. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, the fair showcased handicrafts, crochet work, khadi, household products, food items, and other handmade products. Additionally, handicrafts under the 'One District, One Product' initiative of North-West Delhi district were also showcased at the event, demonstrating the government's commitment to promoting local craftsmanship and entrepreneurship.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta acknowledged that people often prefer foreign brands despite Indian handicrafts, khadi, household products, and handmade items being comparable in quality. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, she emphasized that the only requirement is better branding and marketing of these products. The government is promoting campaigns such as 'Monday metro' and 'No Vehicle Day' to encourage people to use more local and indigenous products instead of foreign goods, supporting the broader initiative to enhance market access for women entrepreneurs.
