Karnataka: Indira Saviruchi Kaituthu mobile canteen to open on November 1

KSWDCThe Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC) is planning to launch “Indira Saviruchi Kaituthu” mobile canteens from November 1, 2017 coinciding with the state formation day. These canteens will be run exclusively by women.

“This is an ambitious project of the Government of Karnataka in empowering women. To begin, the canteens will run in all district headquarters. Based on their success, it will be introduced in taluks too,” Bharathi Shankar, chairperson of KSWDC, told media, on Sunday.

Giving details about the initiative, Bharathi Shankar informed that a women federation, comprising of presidents of 20 taluk women self-help groups, has been formed in each district. Each federation will be given soft loan of Rs 10 lakh by the corporation to procure the specifically-designed vehicle, utensils and working capital.

The professional expertise of CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, will be taken to train women members on preparations, management, health and hygine of the cateens. “The idea is to ensure that the federation will run the business effectively and also sustain in the competitive market,” she said.

Bharathi Shankar said that women self-help groups coming forward to set up their own business were being extended loans through the KSWDC at 4% interest and the corporation has been subsidising the interest component too.