Urban Community Development (UCD) Department
The Urban Community Development (UCD) Department of Mahesana Municipal Corporation works for the welfare and upliftment of urban poor and vulnerable communities. The main objective of this department is to support informal workers, low-income families, and weaker sections by providing social security, livelihood opportunities, and skill-based training.
Key Components and Schemes
1. Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
Formation of groups with 10–20 women members, with at least 70% of members from BPL/EWS or other eligible categories.
Support through bank linkage, a revolving fund up to ₹10,000, and interest subsidy benefits.
2. Skill Training and Placement (EST&P)
Free skill development training for urban poor youth to improve employability.
Training includes 400 hours of technical skills and 30 hours of soft skills.
Support for job placement after training.
3. Self-Employment Programme (SEP)
Individual self-employment: Loans up to ₹2 lakhs with interest subsidy.
Group self-employment: Group projects supported up to ₹10 lakhs with subsidy.
SHG-Bank Linkage: Linking SHGs with banks to provide loans and strengthen financial support.
4. Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH)
Provision of permanent and safe night shelters for homeless citizens.
Facilities include drinking water, sanitation, and basic social security support.
5. Support to Urban Street Vendors (SUSV)
Identification and support of street vendors through training, financial assistance, and access to institutional support.
Special focus on women vendors for small-scale business opportunities.