Shopian, Sept 21 (KNN) To promote local products made by the self-help groups (SHGSs) in Kashmir, the first rural mart opened in the Shopian district.

The rural mart has been opened by the Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) in partnership with National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD).

Key persons present at the inaugural ceremony of the Shopian mart on Tuesday includes SSP, Shopian, Tanushree; ADDC Shopian, Manzoor Hussain, CGM, NABARD, Dr AK Sood and Additional Mission Director NRLM, Reyaz Ahmad Beig.

NABARD has committed to provide the financial support to the tune of Rs.4.79 lakh for each rural mart for a period of 3 years. The components such as shop rent, salary of salesman, marketing and other miscellaneous expenses shall be provided by NABARD.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, SSP Shopian Tanushree said that the rural mart to be run by female SHGs was the first step towards women empowerment in the district.

Deputy General Manager NABARD Surinder Singh, District Development Manager NABARD Rouf Zargar, DPMs JKRLM Uzma Mehraj and Irfan were also present on the occasion.  (KNN Bureau)