KATRA: In a major initiative aimed at strengthening women-led rural enterprises and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Katra.
The initiative has been undertaken pursuant to the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chairman, SMVDSB, with the objective of facilitating greater participation of eligible Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the supply of Puja Samagri and Prasad items within the Shrine Board ecosystem.
The collaboration seeks to tap the sustained market opportunities generated by the pilgrim economy in the Katra-Reasi region and adjoining areas, enabling rural women to strengthen their enterprises, increase household incomes and contribute more substantially to the local economy.
The MoU provides a structured framework for identification, empanelment and engagement of eligible SHGs.
Under the arrangement, eligible groups may be facilitated for supply of items including Fulliyan, Makhana, Patka, Head Band Patti, Dhoop, Agarbatti, Hawan Samagri and Samidha, besides other products mutually agreed upon from time to time.
The product range may also be expanded in accordance with the requirements of the Shrine Board.
A major focus of the partnership 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.
It will also facilitate financial literacy, enterprise development, bookkeeping and digital payment support, besides exploring institutional mechanisms for working capital assistance to enable SHGs to meet larger orders where 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 communicate its procurement requirements in advance to help SHGs plan production and supply capacities and ensure timely availability of items.
The partnership will also encourage sustainable and environmentally responsible enterprise practices, including 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.
At present, around 13 Self Help Groups comprising approximately 450 to 500 women are associated with the Shrine Board for 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. Following the signing of the MoU, the procurement is projected to rise to around ₹15 crore, with further expansion envisaged in the coming years to strengthen livelihood generation in the region.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Alok Kumar Maurya, Additional Chief Executive Officer; Satish Kumar Sharma, Joint Chief Executive Officer; Dr Shubhra Sharma, Mission Director, JKRLM; Dinesh Gupta, General Manager, SMVDSB; Munisha, DPM Reasi; Anuj Sharma, MIS, Block Reasi, JKRLM; and Abhineet Singh Soin, Assistant Manager, SMVDSB.
