The members of thousands Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Udhampur district got a Community Sales Outlet on Thursday in the Main Market wherein the members can showcase and keep their products on sale. The sales outlet will help the members to sell their products and earn their livelihood in the vicinity of their dwellings.The Sales outlet was inaugurated and dedicated to the members by Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq Khan. While inaugurating the Sales outlet Minister said the space will allow the members of the SHGs to sell their products in the market in the vicinity of their dwellings. HE said earlier the members would restrict their sales in exhibitions and other festivals but with the availability of a showroom in the main market the members will be able to put their products on sale throughout the year.In the Sales outlet the women have put vegetables, fruits, milk, home-made pickles, handicrafts and handloom products, dry fruits, Sweets poultry products etc on sale, which are produced by the women of SHGs themselves.
He said the formation of SHGs have been a grand success in the state as it has positively helped in the economic development and upliftment of women folk. He said women engaged with the SHGs have been able to contribute in the family income and in many cases have been gone ahead of their male counterparts in the monthly income.Later the Minister reviewed the functioning of State Rural Livelihood Mission in Udhampur District. He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Ravinder Kumar, Additional Director SRLM (Jammu) Kapil Sharma, ACD Udhampur and other senior officers of the district.Minister was informed that the department has covered 83 Gram Panchayat of the 3 blocks district covering 12499 households. Officials said the total capitalization involved in the district SHGs is Rs 4.74 Crore which include the revolving fund of RS 1.63 crore and 3.11 crore.
Minister was further informed that 2782 households are involved in Agriculture activities while 1350 households deal with livestock and dairy farming whole 580 families deal with poultry. Officials said 1096 families are involved in other activities including Petty Shops, tent Houses.
The meeting was further informed that Umeed scheme has been encouraging all SHG women members to open an individual Bank Account and till date it has achieved 89.14 percent progress in the span of three years. It was stated that out of 7840 SHG members, 6989 members have their own individual accounts.Later Minister also distributed certificates among Self Sustained Village Organizations and Self-Help Groups.