GIDC seeks Rs 100cr from Centre to put up women hostels

Panaji: The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) submitted a detailed project report to the Centre to set up five hostels for women at industrial estates. Govt plans to construct five working women’s hostels at industrial estates through the public-private partnership route.
GIDC hopes to get funds to build hostels under the special assistance to states for capital investment 2024-25 scheme of the Union finance ministry.
“The DPR (detailed project report) was prepared, and the finance department sent it to the Centre in the first week of Jan,” said a senior GIDC official.
The GIDC wants to build two hostels for working women at Verna and one each at Madkai, Tuem, and Cuncolim. State govt hopes that the hostels will benefit women who work night shifts in industrial areas, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.
“We have asked for Rs 100 cr,” said the official. GIDC has also identified suitable plots where the hostels could be found. Once built, a private player will be offered the contract to maintain and operate the hostels for a 30-year lease period.
Under the special assistance to states for capital investment 2024-25 scheme, states are offered up to Rs 100 cr as interest-free loans to meet sector-specific requirements. GIDC’s DPR identified the current demand for housing for women employees and the projected requirement if women’s participation in the manufacturing sector is to be increased.
GIDC officials said that by building hostels for women, a favourable ecosystem will be created in industrial estates, which will enhance the female labour force participation rate (LFPR).
According to the 2023-24 periodic labour force survey (PLFS), the female unemployment rate stands at a staggering 16.8% in Goa, compared to 5.6% for men, highlighting a significant gender disparity. The PLFS data shows that female labour force participation is just 21.2%, less than half of the 56% figure for men.