Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik Inaugurates Umed Mart for Rural Women Entrepreneurs, Flags Off 5 Ambulances in Palghar

Maharashtra Forest Minister and Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik on Saturday inaugurated the Umed Mart, a dedicated marketplace for products manufactured by women's self-help groups (SHGs) under the District Rural Development Agency. The initiative aims to provide rural women entrepreneurs with a professional platform to showcase and sell locally produced goods including food products, Warli paintings, wooden carved artefacts, handicrafts and jewellery.

The mart, located within the Zilla Parishad premises, is expected to strengthen economic independence of women's groups, generate employment opportunities and help build a regular customer base through direct sales to government officials and citizens.

Simultaneously, Naik flagged off five new ambulances procured under the District Annual Plan through District Planning and Development Council funds. These vehicles are deployed to primary health centres across the district to improve access to emergency medical services, particularly in remote and tribal areas of Palghar.