The District Administration, Kapurthala has taken a unique step towards women empowerment by opening an outlet in the Red Cross Bhawan here from where the women self-help groups (SHGs) will be able to sell the items and products made by them. The outlet, aptly named “Bibian di Apni Dukaan, Bazaar naalo sasta, atey shudh samaan”, (Women’s own outlet – Better products at prices lower than market) was inaugurated by Mr. Rana Gurjit Singh, MLA, Kapurthala today morning.Appreciating this effort, MLA Mr. Rana Gurjit Singh said, “The entire world celebrates the International Women’s Day on March 8 every year, but the women empowerment in the real sense will take place only when the women become economically independent. And, the “Bibian Di Apni Dukaan” is indeed a big step towards this direction”.Mr. DPS Kharbanda, who was working as Director (Industries), Punjab prior to assuming the charge of Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala in February this year, stated that, “The Government of Punjab is focusing on employment generation through self-employment. There are many women self-help groups (SHGs) working in Punjab, which are engaged in making a wide variety of items such as pickles, squashes, jams, chyawanprash and other ayurvedic and herbal products, soft toys, footballs, carpets, embroidered items and suits, etc. What they require is a platform to market their products directly to the consumers. And, “Bibian di Apni Dukaan” is the first such platform provided by the District Administration, Kapurthala through its philanthropic arm, District Red Cross Society (DRCS)”.
Divulging the details, Mr. Kharbanda, who is also the President of the DRCS, Kapurthala, added that the outlet will be operated by sales girls, who will sell the products on commission-basis, under the supervision of the DRCS. The DC further stated that sometime later, as the concept picks up and sale of the outlet becomes regular, the District Administration may consider providing a three-wheeled goods carrier to the outlet to collect the items and products from the women SHGs directly from their workplaces and bring it to the outlet for onward sale to the public. He added that more such outlets will be opened at different urban hubs located at sub-division/block headquarters so that the poor women don't have to travel long distances to sell their products but can sell these right at their doorstep.MLA, Kapurthala appealed to the audience and the mediapersons present at the occasion to spread the message of opening of this outlet far and wide. “A family can be happy only if its womenfolk are happy. Making women financially independent will make the family financially stronger and happier” added Rana Gurjit Singh.SSP, Kapurthala, Satinder Singh thoroughly appreciated the effort and hoped that this will grow and help improve the economic condition of women, their households and add to their overall happiness.On the occasion, Ex MLA Mrs. Rajbans Kaur Rana, ADC (G) Mr. Rahul Chaba, ADC (D) Mr. Avtar Singh Bhullar, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Shikha Bhagat, SDM Kapurthala Mr. Varinder Pal Singh Bajwa, SDM Bholath Mr. Sakatar Singh Bal and others were present.