Sakina inaugurates Exhibition-cum-Sale at

Nunwan Base Camp

Omar led Govt committed to empower women community

            SRINAGAR, JULY 10:- Minister for Social Welfare, Ms. Sakina Itoo, who is also the Chairperson of Women Development Corporation (WDC), on Monday, inaugurated the 20^th Exhibition-cum-Sale at Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam.

            The Minister went round the exhibition and interacted with the participants who have installed their 31 stalls in the exhibition, hailing from different districts including far flung areas of Padder, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Udhampur, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara and Srinagar.

            Ms. Sakina was informed that the beneficiaries who have installed stalls have been provided loans under various schemes like NMDFC, NBCFDC,NHFDC ,Backward classes, Handicapped and Self Help Group. She was further informed that by availing loan facilities, they were able to install their income generating units and earn their livelihood with honour and dignity.

            Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the Government has initiated various measures to empower the women so that they play their role not only making them self confident and self reliant but also shaping the whole society. She said the Corporation has launched various schemes for empowerment of women by providing them soft loans.

Highlighting the role of WDC for organizing exhibition cum sale at Pahalgam, Ms. Sakina said the basic aim of conducting such exhibition was to give a chance to the beneficiaries to sell their product directly to the consumers without any middlemen, besides expose the hidden talent of the artisans and encourage them by providing financial assistant to get stand on their own and earn their livelihood with respect and honour. The Corporation was entrusted with responsibilities of taking initiative for socio-economic development of the women, besides arranging financial assistance in the shape of loans and thereafter bringing them under micro credit net, She added.

            The Minister said the present government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to empower the women fraternity, adding that a number of welfare schemes have been launched for the upliftment of women especially, those belonging to the weaker sections, needy, destitute, poor, and widow. She said that last time such exhibitions were also organized outside the state including Jaipur, Punjab and Delhi, adding that a great demand was witnessed of state’s handicraft products there. She said by participating in these exhibitions, the beneficiaries are getting exposure and get a chance to interact with other colleagues and get feedback of their work culture and share their experiences with each other.

            Ms. Sakina said that Madr-e-Maharban , the great pious lady was very much optimistic to see the women community in a leading role and had launched various projects for social, economic and educational empowerment of women folk of the State.

            The Minister said that NABARD has also come forward to help the women community by facilitating them in availing loan facilities from banks for setting up their own employment generating units. She said in this connection, ICDS sector is being involved so that the Anganwari workers may help women to set up their SHG and get benefited from the loans. She also said the women in far flung areas are also now getting benefitted under MGNERGA and are able to earn their own bread and butter.

            Earlier in her address, Managing Director , Dr. Naheed Soz while  welcoming  the Chief Guest ,Ms Sakina Itoo, highlighted the importance of exhibitions in providing marketing support to Below Poverty Line loanee beneficiaries of the of WDC and called these events as an opportunity for mutual interaction among participants /beneficiaries for great understanding of the developmental schemes being run by the Government.

            Interacting with the pilgrims at base camp, the Minister enquired about the facilities made available for them by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and District Administration. They expressed satisfaction over the arrangements.

            Ms. Sakina also visited Jawahar Institute Mountaineering & Winter Sports, Nunwan and took stock of the functioning of the Institute.

            Among others, ADC, Anantnag, Mr. Nissar Ahmad and other senior officers ofline departments accompanied the Minister.