Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday announced enhancement of the annual procurement of Puja Samagri and Prasad from self-help groups (SHGs) from the existing Rs 5 crore to Rs 12 crore for the cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The women’s self-help groups in Udhampur and Reasi districts have, for the past decade, been preparing Puja Samagri and Prasad for devotees of the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and supplying it to the shrine board.
Addressing a function, the governor said the decision would strengthen the local economy and empower women-led self-help groups.
He said that the shrine board has prioritised purchases from local SHGs, women and young entrepreneurs, and will onboard 20 additional self-help groups into the supply chain. The annual procurement has been increased from Rs 5 crore to Rs 12 crore.
“The initiative is expected to provide livelihood support to around 1,500 women from villages in Reasi, Udhampur and Jammu districts”.
Sinha said that the total annual procurement from these groups is proposed to be scaled up to Rs 50 crore in the coming years.
