PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The Uttarakhand government has decided to take services of the women self-help groups for catering related requirements in all government and semi-government meetings, programmes and other ceremonies organized at the State, district and block level.
An order in this regard was issued by the chief secretary Anand Bardhan on Thursday. He has directed all the principal secretaries, secretaries, heads of departments and district magistrates to use the products manufactured by self-help groups to promote them.
He said that for catering purposes, the project director or assistant project director, Rural Development department should be contacted by the officers. Bardhan emphasized on providing gifts of local handicraft products made by self-help groups or House of Himalayas brand as souvenirs to be given to special guests and dignitaries.
The CS directed that millet products and local nutritious products produced by local self-help groups should be used prominently for refreshment arrangements in the programmes, workshops, training sessions and meetings organized in the State. He said that self-help groups should also be given priority for running canteens and outlets in all government premises of departments. Bardhan also directed that for this, purchase and sale should be done with self-help groups in accordance with the procurement rules prevalent by the Finance department.
The CS said that various activities are being conducted for entrepreneurship and livelihood promotion in rural areas by the self-help groups formed under the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission.
