SMVDSB and JKRLM ink MoU to promote livelihood opportunities for rural women through SHGs
Katra, August 13: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening women-led rural enterprises and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for Self Help Groups (SHGs), the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Katra.
Pursuant to the directions of Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lt. Governor, JK-UT (Chairman, SMVDSB), the initiative has been undertaken by the Shrine Board, with the objective of facilitating greater participation of eligible SHGs in the supply of Puja Samagri and Prasad items within the Shrine Board ecosystem.
The collaboration seeks to leverage the sustained market opportunities arising from the pilgrim economy in the Katra-Reasi region and adjoining district, thereby creating avenues for rural women to strengthen their enterprises, enhance household incomes and contribute more meaningfully to the local economy. The MoU provides a structured framework for the identification, empanelment and engagement of eligible SHGs.
Under the framework, eligible SHGs may be facilitated for the supply of a range of items, including Prasad items such as Fulliyan and Makhana, Patka, Head Band Patti, Dhoop, Agarbatti, Hawan Samagri, Samidha and other products as may be mutually agreed upon. The range of products may also be expanded from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the Shrine Board.
A key focus of the initiative is women empowerment through enterprise development. JKRLM will identify, vet and recommend eligible SHGs, maintain their database and performance records and provide capacity-building and skill-development support, besides facilitating financial literacy, enterprise development, bookkeeping and digital payment support. JKRLM will also explore avenues for working capital support for SHGs through appropriate institutional mechanisms to enable them to meet larger orders, wherever required.
The Shrine Board, on its part, will facilitate business opportunities for eligible and empanelled SHGs in accordance with applicable procurement procedures and policies. Wherever feasible, the Board will also communicate its procurement requirements in advance to enable SHGs to plan their production and supply capacities and ensure timely availability of the required items.
The partnership also seeks to encourage sustainable and environmentally responsible enterprise practices, including the use of eco-friendly packaging and biodegradable materials. Special emphasis has been placed on compliance with applicable food safety and regulatory requirements for SHGs engaged in food-related activities.
Notably, around 13 Self-Help Groups comprising approximately 450–500 women, are presently associated with the Shrine Board for the supply of Prasad items. The annual procurement of Puja Samagri and Prasad from these SHGs stood at approximately ₹3.50 crore during the last financial year and after inking MoU is projected to increase to around ₹15 crore, with further expansion envisaged in the coming years for strengthening livelihood generation in the region.
The MoU was inked between SMVDSB and JKRLM in the presence of Shri Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer; Shri Alok Kumar Maurya, Addl. Chief Executive Officer; Shri Satish Kumar Sharma, Jt. Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Dr. Shubhra Sharma, Mission Director, JKRLM; Shri Dinesh Gupta, General Manager, SMVDSB; Ms. Munisha, DPM, Reasi; Shri Anuj Sharma, MIS, Block Reasi, JKRLM and Shri Abhineet Singh Soin, Asstt. Manager, SMVDSB.