In probably the first of its kind move in Pune, a women self-help group has set up a polythene bag producing industrial unit with an investment of Rs one crore. Set up by the Swamini Mahila Bachat Gat Akhil Mahasangh, Yamuna Nagar, it will be inaugurated by Shirur MP Shivaji Adhalrao Patil on Thursday. The unit promises to provide employment to 70 women.

Addressing a press conference in Nigdi on Tuesday, Mahasangh president Swati Mujumdar, secretary Chanda Bhande and treasurer Nayana Parkhe said their months of planning has finally yielded fruit as the industrial unit will get started from Thursday. “All the women members are very excited and we are ready to prove our mettle,” they said. Pimpri-Chinchwad Mahila Mandal Mahasangh president Sulbha Ubale was also present. Among others, mayor Aparna Doke, deputy mayor Sharad Borhade, MP Gajanan Babar, municipal commissioner Asheesh Sharma, standing committee chairman Dnyaneshwar Bhalerao, MLC Neelam Gorhe and Arvind Sawant will also be present on the ocassion.

The Swamini self-help group has procured a loan of Rs 50 lakh from the Bank of Baroda while they have themselves invested Rs 20 lakh. The rest Rs 30 lakh has come from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, which has been encouraging women self-help groups to become entreprenuers. After the Mahasangh submits its project report to the PCMC and once it is approved, the civic body helps the women to get loans from banks. The PCMC has made a provision of financial assistance to women setting up industrial unit.

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