Katra shrine board inks pact to boost opportunities for rural women

Pursuant to the directions of LG Manoj Sinha, the initiative has been undertaken by the Shrine Board, with the objective of facilitating greater participation of eligible SHGs in the supply of puja samagri and prasad items within the Shrine Board ecosystem

With an initiative aimed at strengthening women-led rural enterprises and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for self help groups (SHGs), the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) on Thursday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Katra.

The Shrine Board, on its part, will facilitate business opportunities for eligible and empanelled SHGs in accordance with applicable procurement procedures and policies. (HT Photo for representation)

Pursuant to the directions of LG Manoj Sinha, the initiative has been undertaken by the Shrine Board, with the objective of facilitating greater participation of eligible SHGs in the supply of puja samagri and prasad items within the Shrine Board ecosystem.

The collaboration seeks to leverage the sustained market opportunities arising from the pilgrim economy in the Katra-Reasi region and adjoining district, thereby creating avenues for rural women to strengthen their enterprises, enhance household incomes and contribute more meaningfully to the local economy.

Under the framework, eligible SHGs may be facilitated for the supply of a range of items, including prasad items such as fulliyan and makhana, patka, head band patti, dhoop, agarbatti, hawan samagri, samidha and other products as may be mutually agreed upon.

A key focus of the initiative is women empowerment through enterprise development. JKRLM will identify, vet and recommend eligible SHGs, maintain their database and performance records and provide capacity-building and skill-development support, besides facilitating financial literacy, enterprise development, bookkeeping and digital payment support.

The Shrine Board, on its part, will facilitate business opportunities for eligible and empanelled SHGs in accordance with applicable procurement procedures and policies. Wherever feasible, the board will also communicate its procurement requirements in advance to enable SHGs to plan their production and supply capacities and ensure timely availability of the required items.