'Saviruchi Kaitutthu' to be flagged off on Nov 19

'Saviruchi Kaitutthu' mobile canteens, run by women, will hit the roads in all district headquarters of the state on November 19, said Bharathi Shankar, chairperson of the Karnataka State Women's Development Corporation.

Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, she said this is an ambitious project of the Congress government to empower women. To begin, the canteens will function in all district headquarters. Looking at the success and feedback, it will be rolled out in taluks as well. She said that the Jilla Sthree Shakthi Mahila Okkuta, comprising 12 members, has been formed in each district.

"Each federation will be given loan of Rs 10 lakh by the Corporation, to start the mobile canteen service. The money would be used for purchase of specifically-designed vehicles, utensils and working capital," she added. "The Okkuta members of Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are trained in preparation of dishes, management, entrepreneurship and hygiene by experts at Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Mangaluru from Wednesday. We want to ensure that the Okkuta members run the business effectively, which will help them to venture into hotel business in the future," she said.

She said that the loan is interest-free and the federation have to repay the loan within four years and five months. The women of the federation are also trained in driving the vehicle and repair the vehicle as well.

The mobile canteen will be supervised by the Women and Child Development Deputy Director. The chairperson said that women self-help groups coming forward to set up their own business were given loans through the Karnataka State Finance Corporation at 4% interest.