Raipur, 20 May.
Chhattisgarh government’s Rural Industrial Parks(RIPA) have sparked a wave of entrepreneurship among the rural women across the state. One such example is the RIPA established in the Gram Panchayat Mazgaon of Kawardha district where eight women associated with the Jai Maa Saraswati Women’s Self Help Group are earning substantial income by selling RO water and ice cubes made from RO water.
The business of selling RO Water and Ice Slabs was started considering the market demand for the products. The group prepares seventy five jars daily out of which 65 jars(1 jar of 10 litre) are being sold at the rate of Rs 2275.00 per day. Similarly, about 40 ice slabs are being produced daily, out of which 15 to 17 pieces are being sold to customers directly at the rate of Rs.120 per slab. Every member associated with the group has started earning more than Rs.4500 monthly by joining this business. It is notable that Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel had virtually inaugurated the RIPA operated in Mazgaon and other gram panchayats.
Collector Mr. Janmejay Mahobe stated that state government’s RIPA scheme is making villagers self-reliant by turning them towards entrepreneurship by providing all necessary facilities under one roof. On the same lines, the RIPA operated in Mazgaon is also conducting numerous income generating activities like paper cup manufacturing, cow dung paint manufacturing and RO water and ice slab business. Chief Executive Officer District Panchayat Kabirdham Mr. Sandeep Kumar Agarwal informed that presently, women are earning substantial income by selling their products in the local market.
Mrs. Prem Kumari Gangharva, President of Jai Maa Saraswati Self Help Group ,Mazgaon stated that their business is running smoothly and they are selling ice cubes and RO water in the market everyday. She further informed that the ice made from RO water is reaching many Hotels, Juice Centers and local market as well as grocery shops.
She further revealed that the women are also trying to expand their business by providing home delivery service through their group. The group expressed their gratitude towards the state government for establishing a multi activity center like RIPA in their village to make them self-reliant women entrepreneurs.
