New Delhi, Jan 22 (KNN) Though entrepreneurship in India is largely a male dominated space but in recent past women have also created their own space in entrepreneurship and have succeeded as well. Women are stepping out to join the pool of entrepreneurship in India.

The government schemes and the numerous women industry associations have been instrumental in ensuring incentives as well as the resources to help them enter into the world of entrepreneurship.

With regard to women entrepreneurs, Belgaum based entrepreneur cum Laghu Udyog Bharati's Karnataka State Secretary, Priya Puranik and Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) President from Telangana Chapter, Lalitha  Aluri shared their expectations with KNN India from present government for Budget 2019.

Here is their list of expectations:

Laghu Udyog Bharati, Secretary for Karnataka, Priya Puranik

There should be increase in Pradhan Mantri Employment Guarantee Program (PMEGP) loan scheme in the Budget 2019. We women entrepreneurs want increase in PMEGP loan scheme limit because 25 lakh is not sufficient to start a small enterprise. Also, this scheme should have some criteria which should be applied only to women entrepreneurs, so that micro women entrepreneurs can dream for small enterprise.

Besides, on behalf of women entrepreneurs I demand exposure visits for rural women entrepreneurs. Government should arrange exposure visit for rural women entrepreneurs, so that they can network in a better way.

With regard to Mudra loan, most of the rural women are not aware about this scheme so awareness programs should be organized by bankers.

Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) President from Telangana Chapter, Lalitha Aluri

In the upcoming budget, government should increase procurement percentage from women owned businesses.
Government to focus on setting up of women cell at every District Industry Centre (DIC) of all State Governments/Union Territories.

Like SC/ST entrepreneurs, women should be given all benefits.For the revival of sick units, there is a need of Industrial Health Clinics at every industrial estate to revive sick units.

Women in the businesses for more than 2 decades will be given priority for many subsidies. In addition, free insurance of up to 50 lakhs to women entrepreneur based on her scale of business. Besides, I recommend that allotment of land for women owned industry should be available at affordable price and subsidy should be made available on registrations and property taxes.

Reduction in corporate tax by 5% or more, tax exemption up to 9 lakhs, separate fund for women startups, and 10 % exemption for 5 years are some of the expectations made by the COWE for the growth and welfare of women entrepreneurs.