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Journalism of Courage
In what is being described as a “pioneering” move to promote women’s economic empowerment, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has claimed that it has successfully conducted the country’s first-ever e-auction of food court units exclusively for women’s self-help groups (SHGs).
The process, held on September 30 at the newly developed Akurdi food court, witnessed enthusiastic participation from 97 SHGs.
Guided by Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Shekhar Singh and Additional Commissioner Pradip Jambhale Patil, a total of 49 units were made available through the e-auction, conducted with technical support from Reliance Auction.
To ensure inclusivity, reservations were provided — two units for SHGs of women with disabilities, one for a transgender group, one for COVID warrior SHGs, two for tribal women SHGs, three under DAY-NULM, and as many as 40 units for SHGs registered under PCMC’s Sakshama initiative.
Bids ranged between Rs 15,100 and Rs 32,000. Each unit will be allotted on a three-year lease, extendable by two years subject to satisfactory performance. Rent and maintenance charges will be borne by the respective groups, with penalties for delays. The units can only be operated by the SHGs to whom they are allotted.
Mamta Shinde, Deputy Commissioner of PCMC’s Social Development Department, said, “Through the Akurdi food court, we have created a new livelihood opportunity for women’s groups. Our aim is to empower them financially, give them a chance to run their own enterprises, and bring marginalized communities into the mainstream. The transparent e-auction process ensured equal opportunity for all groups, and this initiative will not only boost self-reliance but also nurture a new generation of women entrepreneurs in Pimpri Chinchwad.
