He was speaking at the inauguration of the two-day Purumentacho Bazaar at Ravindra Bhavan, Sanquelim. The event was organised by the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission under the Rural Development Department, Government of Goa, in association with Ravindra Bhavan, Sanquelim.
Women self-help groups from across the State took part in the exhibition by setting up stalls showcasing and selling traditional food items, homemade products, handicrafts and other rural products.
Speaking further, Sawant said economic empowerment of women is the need of the hour.
“The government has introduced several schemes to provide employment opportunities, business support and financial assistance to rural women. Through self-help groups, loans have been provided on a large scale, and more than Rs 350 crore has been sanctioned to women’s groups over the last seven years. This has helped many women start their own businesses,” he said.
He also appealed to women from both rural and urban areas to take advantage of government schemes, strengthen self-help groups through unity and contribute towards building a self-reliant Goa.
On the occasion, Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye said development has gained momentum across all sectors under the leadership of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
He said the government has effectively implemented several schemes aimed at making women self-reliant and that these initiatives have brought positive changes in the lives of rural women.
The programme was attended by former MP Vinay Tendulkar, Premnath, elected representatives, government officials, BJP office-bearers, members of women self-help groups and other dignitaries.
Later, the Chief Minister visited various stalls, appreciated the work of women entrepreneurs and interacted with participants. He also learnt about their products, tasted traditional food items and extended his best wishes to them. Several programmes have been planned as part of the two-day event.
