Markfed outlet for self-help groups
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 8
As a member of a self-help group (SHG) constituted in her village five year ago, Sunita Rani of Chanarthal village of in Patiala district would visit colleges and shops, located in nearby towns, to sell homemade suits and other handicraft items manufactured by her group of 10 women.
Hailing from poor families, members of the group had never dreamt of selling their products in upscale Chandigarh markets. But now, over 200 SHGs, similar to the one managed by Sunita, have got the opportunity they hadn’t actually dreamt of.
In an initiative to promote products made by the SHGs running with financial assistance provided by the state and Union Government, the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (Markfed) has provided a permanent outlet in Chandigarh, enabling over 200 SHGs to exhibit and sell their products in the tricity.
“Most of the SHGs are doing wonderful work. But they have very limited marketing thrust. We have decided to provide them space in Chandigarh. SHGs associated with the State Cooperative Department will exhibit their products for first 10 days every month. SHGs associated with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats and those manufacturing agricultural products will be given space from 11th to 20th and 21st to 30th, respectively, every month”, said Rajat Aggarwal, Registrar Cooperative Societies.
Markfed has decided to provide an outlet round the year without charging any rent from the SHGs. Apart from handicrafts, the SHGs will exhibit products like soft toys; ready to eat products; phulkari; organic products and footwear.
Most of the SHGs are financially supported under the Mai Bhago Scheme of the Punjab Government.
“We are also trying to arrange exhibitions of such SHGs in 10-15 big fairs organised in Punjab round the year. We are also reaching out to deputy commissioners of the state to provide exhibition space to such SHGs, at least for one day a week, at places that witness high footfall”, added Aggarwal.
