WB has highest number of women workers in unincorporated sector across India: Minister

The highest number of women workers in the unincorporated sector is in West Bengal at 12.7 per cent as per the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2023-24 (ASUSE), stated Shobha Karandlaje, minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises.

The central minister was replying to a question from Barrackpore MP Partha Bhowmick in Parliament today. The TMC MP had asked for details of the number of operational MSMEs in the manufacturing sector, whether West Bengal leads in women workforce participation in unincorporated sector enterprises and the number of women-headed MSMEs in the country.

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The MSME minister replied that almost 10 per cent of all women-led MSMEs in the country are in West Bengal and that 5.3 per cent of the MSMEs under Udyam Registration Portal and Udyam Assist Platform since 2020 are in West Bengal.

In Parliament during his speech MP Samirul Islam sought Eighth Schedule Status for Rajbanshi–Kamtapuri and Kurmali and also renewed his call for recognition of Sari-Sarna faith in the Rajya Sabha.

In his speech, Samirul Islam highlighted the need for official recognition of the Sari and Sarna Dharam, followed for generations by various Adivasi communities including the Santal, Bhumij, Munda, Kora, Lodha, Sabar, Orang, Birhor, Mecha, Rava, Lohara, Mahali, and Chik Baraik groups, as well as a large section of Kurmi people in West Bengal. He noted that despite millions of followers, the Centre has not yet granted formal recognition.

The West Bengal Assembly had already passed a resolution on 17 February, 2023 and forwarded it to the Centre, but no action has been taken. Islam reminded the government that the freedom to practise one’s faith is a fundamental constitutional right.

In regards to the Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri language, the MP pointed out that these languages are widely spoken across North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar and several other regions. After being recognised by the West Bengal Assembly in 2018, cultural and development boards were formed, and the language was introduced in university and government schools.