MUMBAI: In an attempt to woo the blue-collar class, the Maharashtra BJP is planning to set up facilitation centres that will help the state’s working class find employment. The facilitation centres will help the working class -- that includes plumbers, electricians, carpenters, washers etc. -- to get financial assistance from Mudra Bank to set up their own businesses.
A decision regarding this was taken at the BJP meeting here on Monday in the presence of Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thavar Chand Gehlot. Mudra Bank, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been set up to provide funds for skill development. The Union government has made it mandatory for all the nationalised banks to reserve some funds for Mudra Bank.
Senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who was present at the meeting, confirmed that the party was going to set up the facilitation centres for the working class. “The party has asked every worker to approach the working class and inform them about the funding under Mudra. We are going to set up one such centre in each ward of a Municipal Corporation or a Council,” he said. Explaining the need to target the working class Khadse said, “These are the people, who don’t get good jobs because of their weak educational qualification. Also, they don’t have enough money to start their own business. Mudra scheme will ensure self-employment for them,” he said.
Khadse, however, denied that there was a political motive behind the scheme. “ Mudra Bank provides funds to the needy . Anyone can approach them for funding irrespective of his political leanings. We are going to take the initiative since we believe that the good scheme should reach the right people,” he said.