Meer Irfan
Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM ) on Wednesday in collaboration with National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) today inaugurated a Rural Mart here at Shopain.
JKRLM and NABARD has extended the grant support to SHGs promoted under JKRLM for setting up of these Rural Marts. The mart was inaugurated today at Shopain, aims to promote and provide the platform for marketing the local handmade products produced by the women Self Help Groups.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by SSP, Shopian, Tanushree, ADDC, Shopian, Manzoor Hussain, CGM, NABARD, Dr AK Sood and Additional Mission Director NRLM, Reyaz Ahmad Beig.
The mart which has been set up in main town Shopian under NABARD’s Rural Mart Scheme shall provide a platform for many SHGs to sell their handmade products ranging from craft items, clothing, handloom and handicraft products, home-made food items, dry fruits among others.
NABARD has committed to provide the financial support to the tune of Rs.4.79 lakh for each rural mart for a period of 3 years. SSP Shopian Tanushree said that the rural mart to be run by female SHGs was the first step towards women empowerment in the district.
CGM NABARD, Dr Sood encouraged the female SHG members to use the mart as opportunity for economic development and ensure the continuity, quality and quantity of local goods for locals as well tourists.
Additional Mission Director JKRLM also appreciated the SHGs for coming a step ahead for such unique initiative in the district. He assured that Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission strives to open more such institutions in the division. The event was attended by members of various SHGs in the district. Deputy General Manager NABARD Surinder Singh, District Development Manager NABARD Rouf Zargar, District Programme Managers, NRLM Uzma Mehraj, Irfan Basheer, Javid Ahmad and other officials.