<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra Tourism Minister Girish Mahajan on Friday said that a new loan scheme has been launched for women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector under 'Aai' (mother), a women centric tourism policy. He appealed to women entrepreneurs to take advantage of this scheme.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br />''</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Mr. Mahajan said tourism is a fastest growing sector. Therefore, to increase the participation of women in the tourism sector and to develop entrepreneurship and leadership qualities among women, the Department of Tourism had announced 'Aai' policy.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Mr. Mahajan informed that women entrepreneurs can apply for this scheme if they have businesses registered with the Directorate of Tourism. Also, 50% of managerial and other staff in tourism businesses must be women. All necessary permits for tourism business should be obtained. He added that they can avail loans upto 15 lakhs rupees with interest rate of upto 12% from notified banks for setting up new businesses and will be eligible for a reimbursement on the amount. The amount will be deposited in the Aadhar linked bank account of the woman entrepreneur till either the full loan amount is paid back for up to 7 years of the loan term, or up to 4.5 lakh rupees of the loan amount, whichever is lower or earlier.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">For more information, women tourism entrepreneurs in the state can visit the website </span><a href="http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in&source=gmail&ust=1706971254226000&usg=AOvVaw0X-yB_eiSLXq6QBCST0iEe">www.maharashtratourism.gov.in</a><span style="color: #222222;"> or contact the head office at 022 69107600. They can also contact the District Tourism Officer at the district location. The contact numbers are – for Konkan – 91 96043 28000, for Pune – 91 94237 75504, for Nashik – 91 9689908111, for Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar – 91 89990 97255, for Nagpur and Amravati – 91 84228 22058 / 91 9226779729. </span></p>