Sehar Program / Scheme

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11 Jul Sehar Program / Scheme

Posted at 11 Jul 2024 in Current Affairs by
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( This article is from the section ‘ Indian Economy and Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Issues Related to Growth and Employment, Inclusive Growth and Issues Arising from it ’ of UPSC Civil Services Mains General Studies Paper – 3 and ‘ NITI Aayog, Women Entrepreneurship Forum, TransUnion Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd., Human Resource Empowerment Society Programme ’  of UPSC Prelims. It also includes suggestions from the PLUTUS IAS Team. This article is from ‘ SEHER Programme / Scheme ’ under ‘ Daily Current Affairs ’ .)

 

Why in the News ? 

 

 

  • Recently, on 8 July 2024, Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and TransUnion Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited [TransUnion CIBIL] formed the Society for Empowering Human Resource to empower women entrepreneurs in India. – SEHER) ​​ a program / scheme has been started. 
  • The objective of this program is to increase awareness about finance, access to credit and management among women entrepreneurs and to provide them with the necessary resources and tools for this. 
  • The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) focuses on convergence and collaboration with existing stakeholders, thereby providing ongoing support to women entrepreneurs through various interventions.
  • The SEHER program was launched by Smt. Anna Roy, Mission Director of Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and Principal Economic Advisor, NITI Aayog.

 

Current status of women in business in India :

Women’s business ownership is increasing in India. Here are the important facts related to the current status of women in the field of business in India –

 

Women ownership in MSME sector :

  • There are 63 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India, of which about 20% are owned by women.
  • These enterprises provide employment to 27 million people.

 

Demand for Business loans :

  • The demand for business loans by women has increased by 3.9 times in the last 5 years (2019 to 2024).
  • Between fiscal years 2019 and 2024, the share of women borrowers is set to increase by 10%.

 

Ownership in urban and rural areas :

  • The share of women-owned enterprises is higher in rural areas (22.24%) than in urban areas (18.42%).
  • This growth is a sign of positive change in women entrepreneurship and encourages them to move forward.

 

Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) : 

  • Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) was launched by NITI Aayog in 2018 and will be converted into Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in 2022. It aims to provide support and create an enabling environment to women entrepreneurs in India.

 

Aims and Scope : 

 

  • Entrepreneurship Promotion : Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) helps women entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.
  • Ensuring easy access to financial resources : Ensures easy access to financial resources.
  • Establishing contact with the market : Helps in connecting women entrepreneurs to the market.
  • To promote training and skill development : This scheme promotes vocational skills and knowledge to women.
  • Providing mentorship and networking opportunities : Provides consulting services and networking opportunities.
  • Providing services related to business development : Provides necessary services to grow the business.

 

Major objectives of SEHER scheme :

 

  1. To provide financial literacy to women : Educating women on financial topics, including their CIBIL rank and commercial credit reports.
  2. To impart vocational skills : The scheme involves providing resources and training to women to help them manage and grow their businesses.
  3. Ensuring easy access to finance : Under this scheme to help women understand how they can effectively access and manage credit.
  4. Role of Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) : Women Entrepreneurship Platform is a public – private partnership platform developed by NITI Aayog. Its objective is to create an ecosystem supporting women entrepreneurs.
  5. Role of TransUnion CIBIL : It provides financial information and credit information, aimed at improving the financial skills of women entrepreneurs.

 

Contribution and impact of Sehar Programme/Scheme : 

 

  • MSME Sector : According to the MSME Ministry, there are 63 million micro, small and medium enterprises in India, of which 20.5% are women-owned.
  • Creating employment : Under this scheme, these women-owned enterprises provide employment to 27 million people.
  • Division of rural and urban enterprises : The share of women-owned enterprises in rural areas (22.24%) is slightly higher than that in urban areas (18.42%).
  • Contribution to the economy : By accelerating women’s entrepreneurship, India can create more than 30 million new women-owned enterprises, potentially creating 150 to 170 million more jobs.

 

Way forward : 

 

  • The demand for business loans for women entrepreneurs in India has increased by 3.9 times from FY 2019 to FY 2024. Of the 1.5 crore borrowers with business loans in March 2024, 38% were women. The portfolio balance of business loans to women has seen a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35% over the same period.
  • Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and TransUnion CIBIL have launched the SEHER Credit Education Programme, which will provide financial literacy content and business skills to women entrepreneurs. This program will help them access financial instruments, enabling them to expand their businesses and contribute to job creation in the country’s economy.
  • The SEHER program will make women entrepreneurs understand the importance of building good credit history and CIBIL score, helping them access financial resources easier and faster.
  • Women-led businesses are growing rapidly in various sectors. Quick, simple and affordable access to finance is vital for their sustainable development. WEP and TransUnion CIBIL together are promoting financial and credit awareness among women entrepreneurs across the country.
  • In India it provides services to banks, financial institutions, NBFCs, housing finance companies, microfinance companies and insurance firms.।

 

Source – The Hindu and PIB.

 

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 11th July 2024

 

Practice Questions for Preliminary Exam : 

 

Q.1. Consider the following statements regarding Society for Human Resource Empowerment (SEHER).

  1. This is a joint initiative of NITI Aayog Women Entrepreneurship Forum and TransUnion CIBIL.
  2. It is a comprehensive credit education program designed to enhance financial literacy and business skills among women entrepreneurs.

Which of the above statement / statements is/ are correct? 

A. Only 1 

B. Only 2 

C. Neither 1 nor 2 

D. Both 1 and 2 

Answer – D

 

Practice Questions for Main Exam : 

 

Q.1. Outlining the main objectives of the SEHER program, Discuss how it is contributing and creating impact in the field of women entrepreneurship in India and what are the effective solutions to the problems arising from those impacts? Present your rational opinion. ( Word limit – 250 marks – 15 )

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