Captain Polyplast wins order from Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company
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Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Expanding women's workforce key to unlocking India's economic growth, says EAC-PM head Dev
New Delhi: The Indian economy could see a significant boost if more women are brought into the formal or informal sectors, according to S. Mahendra Dev, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). Citing official data and economic studies, Dev said raising the female worker population ratio (WPR) is not just about equity, it is a growth imperative. 'Women's participation in the labour market is essential to achieve faster economic growth, as it has the potential to improve both growth and inclusive growth," Dev said in an interview. The council's chairman said the government is actively working to improve the share of employed women in the population through a multi-pronged strategy that included education, skills training, entrepreneurship support, childcare access, better transport and flexible work options. 'The role of women in all activities of the economy and society has been increasing in India, although the shares of women in some activities are low," Dev said, quoting official figures. Government policies should encourage women's participation in all the sectors of the economy: agriculture, industry and services, he added. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey annual report 2023-24, worker population ratio for females above 15 years has risen to 40.3% in 2023-24 (July-June) from 22% in 2017-18. The legislation that seeks to allocate 33% seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies will also yield positive outcomes for women's empowerment in future, Dev said. "This law will now enable greater participation of women in policymaking and equitable governance at the state and national levels," he added. The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, provides that reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, including that of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, will come into effect after a delimitation exercise is held after a population census. Dev said the government is following a multi-pronged approach—focusing on education, skill development, entrepreneurship, flexible work arrangements, improved childcare and transportation—to improve the worker population ratio for females. 'India could improve GDP significantly by raising the WPR for Economic Survey 2023-24 highlighted the systemic barriers that impede job opportunities for women," he said. "It says in order to sustain and enhance women's participation in the workforce, it is essential to remove restrictions on women working in certain occupations. This responsibility mostly lies with the state governments." While the worker population ratio of females has improved over the years, there is still a lot of ground to cover to achieve gender equality. According to statistics ministry's data, worker population ratio among men above 15 years of age is 76.3%. In scheduled commercial banks, only about one-fourth of the staff are women as of March 2024, as per another report from the statistics ministry, titled 'Women & Men in India 2024'. As per this report, declining fertility rate and improvement in education is aiding the rise in working women. Meghalaya, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh are the front-runners in female labour force participation—the share of working or work-seeking women in the population, while Lakshadweep, Delhi and Haryana are the laggards. The report also pointed out the improvement in gender diversity in business ownership, especially in the services sector, where the trend is stronger than in manufacturing and trading. 'There is a lot of focus on women entrepreneurs in India. Women-owned enterprises can improve WPR and boost economic growth. There are government schemes to improve women's entrepreneurship. Certain flagship schemes of the government of India, such as Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana—National Rural Livelihoods Mission, etc. are oriented towards promoting women-led enterprises. This increases direct and indirect employment for women. Skill development and technology can also help raising women's employment," said Dev. 'There is also need for raising share of women in company boards," Dev said. As per data available from the ministry of corporate affairs, only about one-third of the professionals who secured director identification numbers (DINs) in June for board positions in companies are women. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicates that women's economic empowerment and the closing of gender gaps in key areas is associated with positive macroeconomic outcomes, including higher economic growth, lower inequality, increased productivity, better financial sector outcomes, and greater financial stability, the council's chairman said.
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Hans India
SPMVV workshop promotes Panchagavya based biz
Tirupati: Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV), in collaboration with the UN-APCICT WiFi DX (Women ICT Frontier Initiative – Digital Transformation) Centre and Bharat Ekam Sustainable Development, organised a one-day workshop on 'Creative Economy – From Cultural Roots to Economic Routes' on Saturday. The event highlighted Panchagavya-based entrepreneurship as a sustainable, culturally grounded model for youth empowerment. Led by Dr P Harsha Bhargavi, creative economy expert, the workshop explored how traditional Panchagavya knowledge, derived from indigenous cow products like milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung, can be transformed into health, wellness, and eco-friendly craft businesses. Over 50 participants, including students and faculty, took part in interactive sessions featuring live demonstrations on Panchagavya-based health remedies, DIY crafts, jewellery, and Diya-making. The hands-on training emphasised the use of sustainable, low-investment resources to develop market-ready products. The initiative is part of a broader series aimed at fostering Creative Economy Enterprises rooted in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and rural development. It was facilitated by Prof P Vijaya Lakshmi, member of SPMVV WiFi, and Prof R Usha, member PM-USHA. Prof C Vani, Coordinator, PM-USHA, was also present.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
PM Modi Inaugurates Projects Worth Rs 4,800 Crore In Tamil Nadu
Thoothukudi: Landing in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi on Saturday, returning from his overseas trip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects worth Rs 4,800 crore - a high-profile visit seen as both development-focused and politically significant, just eight months ahead of the state's assembly polls. The projects include a new terminal at the Thoothukudi Airport with a capacity to handle two million passengers annually, along with key infrastructure works in highways, railways, and the VOC Port in Thoothukudi. In a region known for its historic maritime strength, PM Modi aimed to underscore how modern connectivity and energy infrastructure are at the heart of the Centre's vision for Tamil Nadu. "Infrastructure and energy have been our focus for Tamil Nadu over the past 11 years. Tamil Nadu's development is India's development," PM Modi said, asserting that the state has been a consistent priority for the Centre. PM Modi also sought to strike an emotional chord with Tamil voters by invoking revered regional icons and deities - Lord Murugan of Tiruchendur Temple, freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai, who challenged British shipping dominance, poet Subramania Bharathi, and Veerapandia Kattabomman, the warrior who resisted colonial rule from this region. He recounted gifting pearls from Tuticorin to Bill Gates last year - a symbolic nod to the region's famed pearl heritage and export potential. Pitching India's growing global economic footprint, the Prime Minister highlighted the recently finalised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, claiming it would expand opportunities for Indian manufacturing and start-ups. "Now 91% of goods from India can be sold at lower prices in the UK," he said, adding that MSMEs, youth, and entrepreneurs will benefit significantly. "Make in India is not just a slogan - during Operation Sindoor (in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack), you saw the strength of India-made weapons that gave sleepless nights to enemies," he said. Tacitly addressing criticism from the ruling DMK and opposition parties over alleged financial bias against Tamil Nadu, PM Modi claimed the Centre had allocated Rs 3 lakh crore to the state over the past decade - three times the amount received under the UPA government. "It should be seen how much Tamil Nadu contributed then vs now, then it would expose how less Tamil Nadu gets now", DMK Spokesperson Dharaneetharan had said. PM Modi's remarks come amid sharp criticism from the DMK over the Centre allegedly withholding Rs 2,152 crore due to Tamil Nadu's refusal to implement the three-language policy - a move the state sees as Hindi imposition. The BJP has denied these allegations. Chief Minister MK Stalin, currently hospitalised, had sent a memorandum to PM Modi through Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, flagging several unfulfilled Central projects and demands for greater financial support, details of which have not been divulged yet. PM Modi's visit also includes participation in a major cultural and religious event on Sunday - the 1,000th anniversary of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district. He will be joined by 25 Shaivite mutts in what is seen as a symbolic attempt to deepen the BJP's roots in Tamil Nadu's cultural matrix. Though mutts have limited political influence in Tamil Nadu compared to other southern states, BJP insiders say PM Modi is banking on a long-term revival of these institutions to create a cultural and religious connect - particularly with OBC and Brahmin communities historically patronised by the Chola rulers. The BJP, with negligible presence in the state, is trying to rebuild its base ahead of 2026. After breaking away from the BJP before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK has now rekindled ties.
