Pune: 600 Women Start Transport Company, Lease 44 Buses To PMPML

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Shikha Chaurasia

Pune, October 30, 2020: A total of 600 women from across six districts of Maharashtra who are the wives of former defence personnel came together to set up a transport company. The women got together with the help of different self-help groups (SHGs) and accumulated their resources, with the help of which they were able to purchase 44 buses. They then decided to lease the buses to the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML). These buses will start to ply on the roads of Pune city from this Sunday (1 November 2020).

 

This was possible because forty-four SHGs across the state came together and each SHG purchased one bus. The women pooled in their own savings and also took banks loans. They are also awaiting financial assistance from the state Sainik Welfare Board. The transport company opened by the women is known as ‘Vishwa Yodha Shetkari Multi Trade Pvt Ltd’. The company is based in Satara district. The company has signed a contract with the PMPML which says that the PMPML will ply their buses for up to seven years with a distance of 6000 km per month at a fixed rate.

 

Colonel (retired officer) RR Jadhav, officiating director of the state Department of Sainik Welfare said that the department has implemented many schemes for the welfare of the soldiers and their respective families but this is a first-of-its-kind initiative where different SHGs have come together for the welfare of wives of former army men.

 

An ex-serviceman from Satara Suresh Godse had previously suggested the idea to Jadhav when he was a Sainik Welfare Officer of the district. He said, “This task was not a simple one. We needed an investment of Rs 18.04 crore for an initiative this big. We were fortunate enough to receive support from all the stakeholders. With the help of all contributions, this dream was turned into reality.”

 

President of the Vakratund Maji Sainik Mahila Swayamsahayatta Bachat Gat, Manisha Gujar from Jaitapur, Satara said that the SHG she is a part of takes numerous initiatives for their welfare but the new bus initiative has raised their hopes for earning a substantial amount of money. She also said that some of the women were hesitant to invest their savings before but everybody agreed to contribute later.

 

The Bank of Maharashtra has given a loan of Rs 34 lakh to each SHG at a lower interest rate. The cost of one bus goes up to Rs 41 lakh so, the rest of the money was given by the women.

 

Godse added that the women will receive an amount of Rs 25,000 per month as their income. He also said that a contribution of Rs 7000 after deducting the overall expenditure of the bus for the entire month will be provided to the company for administrative expenditure.

 

Each SHG can receive an additional income of Rs 60,000 after approximately five years when the loan is repaid according to Godse.

 

Jadhav said that preference will be given to former defence personnel among others to fill the posts of 180 employees which involves 119 drivers and 38 mechanics.

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