In a move to empower women, the Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has instructed sugarcane co-operative societies to provide free spaces to women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) for opening shops. These women will be encouraged to establish ‘Prerna canteens’ to showcase and sell their products. The Department of Sugar Industry and Cane Development, along with the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, has signed an MoU to implement this directive.
The initiative aims to create employment and self-employment opportunities for rural women associated with SHGs through sugarcane committees. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of empowering women and promoting self-reliance is reflected in this decision. The women will not be charged rent for the initial two years, and thereafter, they will only need to pay 50% of the rent based on prevailing circle rates.
Cane Commissioner Ministhy S. emphasized that the allocated space in sugarcane committees will solely be for selling the women’s products. The ownership of the space will remain with the respective committee to safeguard government assets. The women will be able to sell various products like handmade items, food products, solar lamps, handicrafts, agricultural produce, and local goods through Prerna Canteens and marketing centers.
This initiative aims to boost women’s income and provide a structured market for local products. The government will extend support to women’s self-help groups through training, marketing assistance, and promotional activities. Additionally, they will have opportunities to participate in fairs, exhibitions, and public events to enhance the visibility of their products.
The Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) will offer training to ensure the smooth functioning of canteens, focusing on operations, cleanliness, food safety, and quality control. This move is expected to diversify the roles of sugarcane committees, contributing to the growth of the rural economy by promoting local production and consumption.
