ACF MoU with TSPL to empower women in villages of Mansa Expanding

Expanding horizons under its women empowerment programme, Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF) signed an MoU with Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, to reach out and promote 200 Self-Help Groups (SHG) in 20 villages of Mansa district in  Punjab.

The association aims to develop at least three group microenterprises for the villages and initiate income-generation activities mobilising community awareness initiatives and establishing SHGs in three years, said a press release.

TSPL has set up a thermal power plant of 1980 MW-capacity in Banawala village of Mansa. It will provide financial aid to ACF to launch its women empowerment programme in Mansa.

As a part of TSPL’s partnership, ACF has started imparting IGA (income- generating activities) training among rural women in the area for the past five months and is also working with 50 NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) SHGs in seven villages in Phase-1 of the project. ACF will also aim to provide kitchen gardening kits to 100 SHGs and support 200 SHGs in the area within three years.

Pearl Tiwari, Director & CEO, Ambuja Cement Foundation, said, “As our major focus is on women, gender and livelihoods, our new partnership with TSPL will further support us to drive impactful initiatives under the women empowerment programme and enhance our already existing programmes in Punjab.”

Vikas Sharma, CEO, TSPL, remarked: “Through this project, we aim at empowering women through financial inclusion and linking them with income-generation opportunities.”