Advisor Baseer Khan for promotion of SHGs, calls it the viable Economic Activity to help Employment Generation and Empowerment of Women

Srinagar: Self Helf Groups have the potential to strengthen the backbone of economy. The economic activities happening under this scheme creates huge employment opportunities besides promoting and exploring local potential optimally in traditional Handicraft and Handloom trades including Carpet, Sozni, Paper Machie, Crewel and Namda.

This was stated by Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan while inaugurating the JKNRLM’s (UMEED) five days Regional Mela ‘POOSHIDA HUNNER’- “A humble step towards strengthening of Women SHGs economically at Kashmir Haat, Srinagar”.

While speaking on the occasion, Advisor Baseer Khan conveyed his satisfaction with the variety and quality of products prepared and displayed by different Self Help Groups in the stalls at Exhibition Ground.

He emphasised that the enthusiastic participation of the members in the Mela to display and show case products despite incessant rains is an encouraging signal of commitment and dedication for promotion of skill and finished products by these groups.

Advisor Baseer Khan said that the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha is apprised of the activities being undertaken by the SHG’s and informed them that LG is very keen to strengthen the structure of SHG’s as it has proved viable economic activity that employs thousands of females and earns considerable income.

He said various measures have been taken for marketing and exploring the space at prime locations to display the products made by SHGs across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

While addressing the gathering of SHG members, he stressed that all the DCs of J&K shall be asked to provide permanent space to SHGs at Rural Haats for displaying and selling of their goods.

He also directed Director Handicraft and Handloom, Kashmir Mehmood Shah to explore the ways and means to provide these groups permanent space in the exhibition ground at Kashmir Haat besides helping them with registration of groups. He said same process will be done at Jammu also.

He said that the stalls and kiosks shall be established along the sides of Srinagar- Jammu National Highway besides other places during the Amarnath Pilgrimage. He said huge number of adventure and religious tourists are visiting J&K who shall be buying our products and will also become the ambassadors to promote these crafts across the country.

Advisor Basser Khan said that every effort is being made by the government to enhance the potential and skill of artisans.

He said that the fact of zero NPS of Self Help Groups indicates that this sector is flourishing very rapidly.

He told participants that every requirement shall be projected with the LG whose dream is to propagate this economy activity at gross root level.

He said that GI tagging shall be held and the products shall be registered through e-commerce to give flip to the trade.

Advisor also called participants to increase their production of fine quality goods. He said Kashmir is known for its Handicraft and handloom products across the globe.

Advisor also interacted with the Self Help Group members who had set up stalls at Kashmir Haat and enquired from them the patterns of sale and profit realizations from this trade. He also assured them full support for the sustenance of this economic activity.

Later, Advisor Baseer Khan gave away awards to the artisans selected for their extraordinary talent in Carpet, Sozni and Paper Machie sector at Directorate of Handicraft and Handlooms to give tribute to Golden Hands at the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor congratulated the artisans and told them that it is the recognition of their skill and talent.

He said government is exploring the resources to help artisans with financial assistance, marketing, GI tagging and in many other ways that would benefit them.

He directed officers present to conduct more exhibitions to highlight the potential of SHGs.

On the occasion, Gh Hussain Rather from Nowshera was awarded 50000 posthumously, Safder Ali Mir from Sonpah was given 30000 and Ajaz Ah Dar from Wakura was awarded 20000 in Sozi category.

In Carpet, Ali Mohammed Ganaie, Patlipora Payeen Chattable and Gh Mohammed Jan shahoo shechem Kulgam were confered Rs 50000 and Rs 30000 respectively.

Also, in Paper Machie, Gh Mohi-ud- din from, Zadibal, Altaf Hussain Bhat, Zadibal and Syed Inayat from Alamgiri Bazar were given Rs 50000, Rs 30000 and Rs 20000 prizes respectively.

Besides, in languishing & Innovative category, Ab Majid Shah from Nawa Kadal was awarded Rs 20000 prize.

Further, in Crewel, Ruby from Kawadara was awarded Rs 20000 and in Willow Wicker, Gh Mohammed Magray, from kachan, Ganderbal was given award of Rs 50000.

Mission Director, JKNRLM, UMEED, Rubina Kounser; Director H&H, Mehmood Ahmad Shah; concerned officers, SHG members and others were present on these occasions.