A training programme was conducted by the Technology Development Centre of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in collaboration with the Kulgam district administration to empower a 25-woman group in food processing and packaging activities.
A second skill development programme for 25 youths was organised in collaboration with the Bandipora district administration through ITI-Bandipora for the repair and maintenance of electrical equipment and computer applications.
Apart from demonstrations, practical training was imparted to participants. They were also made aware of various MSME Ministry schemes to start ventures.
A one-week management development programme was also organised at the DIC Pulwama and Budgam for 25 industrial unit holders. The programme was aimed at improving their decision-making capabilities and help them raise productivity and profitability with the use of latest industrial management practices.
A two-week entrepreneurship awareness programme is also being organised at the MSME - Technology Development Centre, Extension Centre Srinagar, to nurture the talent of unemployed youths and students by making them aware about setting up MSMEs.
A two-day industrial motivation campaign was conducted in different districts for motivating the youth and entrepreneurs about the roles and schemes of the MSME Ministry.
These activities are aimed at helping people make use of available benefits.
The MSME Srinagar also plans to expand the extension centres in various districts for artisans and common people and help them through skill-based training and support.
The process of setting up the Rs 20 crore Srinagar extension centre is under consideration to make available facilities, like incubation hub, intellectual patent facilitation centre (IPFC) and workshops with CNC machinery.
The MSME-Technology Development Centre, Extension Centre Srinagar, has been named the nodal agency for implementation of the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) to facilitate the artisan community by the way of the common facility centre (CFC), raw material bank and marketing support.
The Centre in collaboration with the J&K Department of Handicrafts has identified 23 clusters for kangri, willow wicker, paper mache, etc. They will be supported under the scheme.
So far, over 700 youths and budding entrepreneurs have been motivated and made aware through the ESDP, and imparted skill development this year.
( With inputs from IANS )