Constraints on Women Entrepreneurship Development in Kerala: An ...

demand for the products were stressed. The problem of maintaining quality among the different
size groups of enterprises was addressed separately for each group. The techniques of
maintaining quality of the products and the need for pilot-testing of products / services before
actual marketing were dealt with in detail. Information on patents for unique products and
services, advantages of giving attractive names for the unit and its products and the possibilities
of marketing products through internet were also explained in detail.
The traditional industries (flour mills and curry powder making) benefited from the consultation
considerably. It was suggested that these enterprises should form an association among
themselves so that they may save in costs of raw materials and marketing. This was suggested
as one of the solutions to the competition they faced from the larger units in terms of
prices. Similarly, the garment manufacturers were given guidelines to form an association
among themselves so that they could save in production cost. The advantages highlighted
were economies of scale in purchasing raw materials in bulk and in transportation and loading
and unloading charges. Such associations would solve problems which women face when
travelling alone. The other benefits were those of joint exhibitions and taking up bigger orders
from schools and institutions.
The notebook manufacturers were advised to increase quantity of production and not to
compromise in quality of the items of stationery they produce. There were a few units, such
as the shuttlecock manufacturing unit, cola-manufacturing unit, and cable-operator unit, the
future of which could not be evaluated reliably. A joint discussion of the problems of these
units by all the participants in the workshop together threw up a lot of insights into the
possibilities of diversification of their activities; Units producing food items such as pickles,
flour, bakery items, and curry powder raised doubts about the viability of their business; they
were advised to form groups under Women Development Corporation to gain strength for
collective bargaining. Help available from agencies like APPAREL and Gramashree was new
information for many of the women entrepreneurs who attended the workshop.
Consultation on government procedures
Mr Rajendran, Deputy Director, Directorate of Industries and Commerce of the Government
of Kerala, acted as the consultant on government procedures. Benefits like reduction in the
electricity tariffs and preference in getting telephone connections, entitled to women entrepreneurs
were brought to the notice of the participants. Though sales tax exemption has been
granted by the government for such enterprises, they would become eligible only if they
maintained proper, audited accounts, a task which many entrepreneurs felt was too heavy a
task for them to bear. They were advised that they need not therefore go in for tax benefits
and should maintain a simple accounting system, which they find themselves capable of.
Information about other available government benefits and the procedure for obtaining them,
was also given.
Many of the respondents wanted to know the benefits for SSIs registered as WIP units. It
was explained that the scheme was in a suspended state as it had been handed over to panchayats
and that grants under the scheme are withheld. The respondents were advised on the procedures
for applying for grants and subsidies through the DIC Green Channel.
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