Vol. 2, Issue 6, Part L (2016)

Abstract

This study is related with the problems faced by the women residing in Rajasthan state in taking advantage of Government scheme in generating self-employment. With the introduction of a new credit linked subsidy program called Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and by merging the two schemes that were in operation till 31.03.2008 namely Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas.

This scheme is meant for generation of productive and adequately remunerated employment which is a key component for fight against poverty and making self-reliance. This study runs on studying various problems faced by women with the help of primary and secondary data.

The greatest deterrent to women entrepreneurs is that they are women. Male chauvinism is the order of the day. Therefore, women have a tendency to keep away from high-flying economic activities which are supposedly regarded as the preserve of men till today. Even the financial institutions are skeptical of their entrepreneurial abilities to risk their funds on them. Seemingly non-partisan, even the bankers consider women loanees a higher risk than men loanees. They look for men behind the women applicants. They scare the women applicants with their greater and unwarranted inquisitiveness and put questions, sometimes embarrassing and sometimes incomprehensible, often insisting on stiffer if not more unreasonable security considerations. The social setting is still not conducive as the men folk are less understanding and less co-operative, if not antagonistic to such enterprises by women.