The Ernakulam district panchayat is launching a series of apparel-making units in order to provide jobs for women's groups. The first of these units, dubbed 'Bhoomika,' was launched in Kunnukara panchayat on Monday, according to Ullas Thomas, district panchayat president. He went on to say that the creation of the first apparel unit, which employed five women, was aided by a subsidy provided by the district panchayat to help women find productive employment.
The Kunnukara unit secured a loan of 3 lakh from the Union Bank of India, according to sources at the Ernakulam District Industries Centre. The district panchayat is supporting the project with funding from the People's Plan, and an 85 percent subsidy was granted for its implementation.
Sajitha S., secretary of the Kunnukara women's group that founded the unit, said they would be given training through the district panchayat's initiative, and that the group expected a lot of work orders in the coming days.
Another apparel manufacturing facility has opened in Karukutty, near Angamaly. The Karukutty unit, dubbed 'Thread and Needle,' has received a subsidy of Rs.2.84 lakh from the Union Bank of India to launch the project, according to sources in the Industries department. They also stated that two more units would be built this fiscal year, one in Mulanthuruthy and the other in Nellikkuzhi near Perumbavoor.
The district panchayat's annual budget for 2022-23, which projects a total revenue of approximately 200 crore, has a strong emphasis on job creation. Apart from assisting farmers with seeds and fertilizers, the district panchayat hopes to create jobs in other sectors through ventures such as apparel manufacturing.
