In a bid to promote Rural Self Help Groups, the District Administration Ludhiana has started an innovative venture, wherein a weekly “Bazaar” is being set by these groups in District Administrative Complex, here on every Saturday of the month. At this bazaar, the members of rural Self Help Groups are able to sell their produce directly without any middleman.Set up under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal and ADC (D) Mr Sanyam Aggarwal, this bazaar is becoming successful with every passing week as a large number of city residents are attending it.Mr Avtar Singh, Assistant Project Officer (M), ADC (D) office, Ludhiana, informed that the rural self help groups produce high quality products, which are sold at very reasonable prices. He said that due to lack of marketing skills, the groups sometimes face problems in selling their products to the right customer. He said that is why, the District Administration has now come forward and provided them space where the members of rural self help groups would be able to sell their produce in Ludhiana.
Avtar Singh said that this innovative step would certainly help the groups financially as they would be selling their products without any middleman.He informed that nine different canopies in three different colours have been set up. He said that attractive flexes and advertising boards showing their products have also been provided to them by DRDA.The Bhoomi self help group (NRLM) has been successfully selling aloo parantha with home made butter and curd, Shanti Self Help Group has been selling bhalla-papri chat and fresh lime water.Mr Jaspreet Singh Khera, Project Director, Atma, informed that the groups registered under the Atma scheme, today, Kisan Milkfood village Gosal sold milk badaam, ghee produced from buffalo and cow milk and cottage cheese, the Punjab Native Seed Grower FIG sold home made biscuits and grape vinegar. Progressive farmer Mrs Charanjit Kaur sold jaggery and pulses, Miss Manjit Kaur from Singing in Kitchen group sold walnut and fruit cakes, besides several other products.On this occasion, Mr Brij Mohan Bharadwaj (Election Incharge), Mr Gurcharan Singh (Steno District & Sessions Judge), Mr Mandeep Singh, Mr Jagdeep Singh, Mr Gaganjot Singh, Mr Rajinder Singh, Mr Manjit Singh, besides several others.