The Nav Tejaswini Yojana received formal approval from the Maharashtra government on October 8, 2020. The Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) is tasked with executing this initiative, backed by a budget of Rs. 523 crore allocated to Mahila Bachat Gat, or women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This scheme is designed to foster female advancement by leveraging SHGs, which serve as a vital tool for elevating the standard of living in impoverished households.
The Maharashtra Nav Tejaswini Scheme is set to provide rural women with expanded support and a broader array of opportunities. By strengthening SHGs and improving access to financial services, this empowerment program aims to boost income levels through skill enhancement, market integration, and strategic policy support.
The project further focuses on increasing women’s access to essential labor-saving infrastructure and functional literacy. Additionally, the new Tejaswini initiative seeks to promote women's involvement in local governance and bolster government policies aimed at female empowerment.
The Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM), the state’s dedicated women’s development corporation, will oversee the implementation of the Nav Tejaswini Yojana. The project aims to empower women and generate employment for those involved in SHGs, targeting roughly 10 lakh rural families. By providing financial aid and facilitating low-interest loans, the program strives to lift these families out of poverty.
The Maharashtra state cabinet has approved funding to accelerate rural women's entrepreneurship. This includes a contribution of Rs. 333 crore from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Rs. 190 crore from the state government, specifically dedicated to establishing and nurturing women-led enterprises in rural areas.
Through MAVIM, the Maharashtra government is actively driving the SHG movement to achieve financial independence for women. Historically, because many women lacked property ownership, they were excluded from formal banking systems. Currently, credit is primarily channeled through SHGs, which often limits the amount and restricts the funds to the group rather than providing individual credit opportunities.
Despite being skilled and capable, many women struggle to secure loans for business startups or independent enterprise production. The Maharashtra Nav Tejaswini Rural Women Empowerment Programme acts as a game-changer by prioritizing individual loan access for women and improving the bank-linkage process for Bachat Gats.
The Vikel to Pikel initiative is designed to elevate SHGs by encouraging the formation of cooperatives, federations, and formal companies. By prioritizing local demand and productivity, this initiative focuses on systematically procuring goods produced by SHGs.
To ensure high quality and professional presentation, IFAD will provide international-grade training and mentorship. Furthermore, the integration of modern technology will enable SHG products to compete with corporate and private sector offerings. MAVIM will offer comprehensive support regarding product branding, packaging, and quality assurance.
Ultimately, the Nav Tejaswini Yojana seeks to improve the health of the state by focusing on women's empowerment and child nutrition. The project also addresses the challenges faced by women by promoting their active participation in critical decision-making processes.