The Kangra district administration will lend a hand to the self-help groups (SHGs) operating across the district by opening marketing outlets for their products near major markets.
So far the district administration has opened one such outlet at Chamunda near Dharamsala town which will be formally inaugurated next month. The idea is to cover SGHs operating in Dharamsala, Kangra, Palampur, Bhawarna and Nagrota Bagwan developmental blocks and encourage them to sell their products at common platform.
“There are over 2000 SHGs operating across the district. Among them around 90% are exclusively for women,” said additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Kangra, Rohan Chand Thakur.
He said most of them were doing a good work but there was no marketing outlet for their products.
“Now we have decided to supplement their efforts to raise the income by creating a network and providing them marketing facilities,” said Thakur.
“A marketing outlet has been opened in Chamunda for the purpose while opening a Haat Bazar at Dari locality of Dharmasala town is on the cards,” said Thakur. Besides, an outlet will be opened in Paprola near Baijnath town where some SHGs are engaged in jacket and shawl manufacturing. He informed that the administration would also allot Gramin Vikas Shops in various blocks which were lying unused.
“We have a plan to open such outlets at block level near markets so that the SHGs could sell their products easily” said Thakur adding that the new initiative will go a long way in creating brand identity of the products being manufactured by SHGs. Thakur said the administration will also explore integration possibility with a larger retail group to provide marketplace for SHGs through its outlets.
“The motive is to bring the market benefits to the members of SHGs and their products should reach large customer base,” said Thakur. “Besides, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural poor in the district, the new initiative will help in raising their income,” added Thakur.
“We have a plan to open such outlets at block level near markets so that the SHGs could sell their products easily” said Thakur adding that the new initiative will go a long way in creating brand identity of the products being manufactured by SHGs. Thakur said the administration will also explore integration possibility with a larger retail group to provide marketplace for SHGs through its outlets.
“The motive is to bring the market benefits to the members of SHGs and their products should reach large customer base,” said Thakur. “Besides, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural poor in the district, the new initiative will help in raising their income,” added Thakur.
He said most of the SHGs in Kangra were engaged in food processing and in making handicrafts which were in great demand in the markets. In 2012-13, loans of` Rs 786.95 lakh were given to the SHGs in Himachal Pradesh.