The Akka Café initiative is advancing in the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad, with officials from the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) actively identifying locations for its establishment. Announced in the state budget, this program aims to enhance social and financial empowerment for women across Karnataka.
The initiative will see women’s self-help groups (SHGs) operating these cafés, with the most successful group potentially being selected to supply food for government programs. The government is expected to approve these cafés soon. The budget for 2024-25 includes provisions to set up 200 Akka Cafés statewide, with the first phase involving 50 cafés. These will offer local food at affordable prices in rural and urban areas.
The first Akka Café was inaugurated in Bengaluru’s commissionerate of rural development and panchayat raj department on International Women’s Day. In Hubballi-Dharwad, potential café locations include the DC’s office compound in Dharwad, Mini Vidhana Soudha in Hubballi, and HDMC premises in both cities. Vinod Kanti, NRLM district programme manager, noted that 8,012 women’s SHGs are active in the district, with 70 engaged in catering services. The selected SHGs will manage the cafés, which will also cater to government events.
Abdul Razak Gadwal, DAY-NULM mission manager at HDMC, confirmed that 1,400 SHGs are registered, and two locations have been proposed for government sanction. The cafés are anticipated to support both skill development and livelihood initiatives.
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