Bidar gets Akka Café – The Hindu

The newly-inaugurated Akka Café will play a vital role in strengthening women’s empowerment and economic independence, said Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister and Bidar district In-charge Eshwar B. Khandre on December 1.

Speaking after inaugurating the café on the premises of the Zilla Panchayat office in Bidar, the Minister said the initiative, jointly launched by Sanjeevini (Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society), the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, the Zilla Panchayat and the Taluk Panchayat, Bidar, will be operated entirely by women.

“With ₹12 lakh financial assistance from the government of Karnataka and additional capital investment by women’s self-help groups, Akka Café is designed to bring women into the mainstream by strengthening their entrepreneurial abilities,” he said.

“Historically, women were subjected to exploitation and remained at the margins of a male-dominated society. But today, women have proved their abilities across every field. Akka Café is part of our commitment to help women become financially self-reliant,” he added.

He urged the café management to maintain high standards of hygiene and ensure quality, nutritious food.

The Minister handed over the café licence to the Bagdalan Ganesh Self-Help Group and tasted the snacks prepared at the outlet.

Mr. Khandre highlighted several ongoing government programmes aimed at supporting women. He said that under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, ₹2,000 is being deposited directly every month into the accounts of 1.26 crore women without the involvement of middlemen, at an annual cost of ₹30,000 crore. Under the Shakti scheme, women can travel free of cost on State-run buses, resulting in savings amounting to nearly ₹600 crore in ticket value.

Bidar South MLA Shailendra K. Beldale said Akka Café is a step towards enhancing women’s entrepreneurship. He said the café should offer diverse and special dishes to attract customers. Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, 60% of the funds for such projects come from the Union Government and 40% from the State Government, he added.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr Girish Badole said the primary objective of Akka Café is to strengthen women’s economic stability. He added that a second café is being set up in Humnabad, and that customers can make digital payments through UPI at these cafés.

Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation Chairperson Mala Narayanrao, Bidar Municipal Commissioner Mukul Jain, member of the Central Government’s State Development and Coordination Committee Shivayya Swami, Bidar Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Manikarav Patil, officials, SHG members and others were present at the inauguration of the cafe.