WEEKLY “BAZAAR” FOR RURAL SELF HELP GROUPS STARTS

SELF HELP GROUPS WOULD BE ABLE TO SELL THEIR PRODUCTS WITHOUT ANY MIDDLEMAN: ADC (D) DR SHENA AGGARWAL SAYS THIS BAZAAR WOULD HELP THE RURAL SELF HELP GROUPS FINANCIALLY ADC (D) INAUGURATES FIRST SUCH BAZAAR IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX TODAY Ludhiana, March 9, 2019: In a bid to promote Rural Self Help Groups, the District Administration Ludhiana has started an innovative venture, wherein a weekly “Bazaar” would be set by these groups in District Administrative Complex, here on every Saturday of the month. At this bazaar, the members of rural Self Help Groups would be able to sell their produce directly without any middleman. The first such Bazaar was inaugurated by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Dr Shena Aggarwal in the newly constructed parking situated in the District Administrative Complex, here. While speaking on the occasion, Dr Shena Aggarwal said that the rural self help groups produce high quality products, which are sold at very reasonable prices. She said that due to lack of marketing skills, the groups sometimes face problems in selling their products to the right customer. She said that is why, the District Administration has now come forward and provided them space where the members of rural self help groups would be able to sell their produce in Ludhiana. She said that this innovative step would certainly help the groups financially as they would be selling their products without any middleman. This bazaar would be set up on every Saturday of the month in the newly constructed parking in District Administrative Complex, Ludhiana from 11 am to 4 pm. Mr Avtar Singh, Assistant Project Officer (M), DRDA, Ludhiana, informed that nine different canopies in three different colours have been set up. He said that attractive flexes and advertising boards showing their products have also been provided to them by DRDA. Mr Jaspreet Singh Khera, Project Director, Atma, thanked Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of Atma Governing Board and ADC (D) Dr Shena Aggarwal for allowing members of Atma Kisan Bazaar and self help groups registered under Atma project to become part of this bazaar. Mr Praveen Bhatia, DDM NABARD, informed that NABARD has always supported the self help groups and assured all possible support in the future as well. Today’s Bazaar was attended by rural self help groups registered with DRDA, NRLM, Atma and NABARD, namely Ilex Self Help Group, Guru Arjun Dev Self Help Group, Shanti Self Help Group, Bhoomi Self Help Group, Punjab Native Seed Growers Self Help Group, Progressive Farmers Singing in Kitchen self help group, Progressive Farmer Charanjit Kaur, Punjab Self Help Group. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mrs Paramjit Kaur, Development Officer Women Programme, Mr Harmel Singh, Horticulture Development Officer, Miss Parampreet Kaur, Assistant Technology Manager (ATMA), Mr Rajinder Singh, besides several others.