Weekly market near Atal Tunnel gets nod

A meeting chaired by Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana was held at the Forest Department Auditorium in Keylong to review progress under the ongoing JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) project. The meeting brought together 28 self-help groups (SHGs) from across the district.

Key officials present included Divisional Forest Officer Aniket Wanve, Keylong SDM Akanksha Sharma, Udaipur SDM Alisha Chauhan, Industries Department Manager Rajesh Sharma and Range Officers from Keylong and Patan.

The primary agenda was to guide SHG women on income-generating opportunities available under the JICA project. The Industries Department also briefed the participants on the SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries), which aims to promote traditional crafts through industrial clusters.

DC Bhadana directed the Forest and Industries Departments to collaborate and set up one industrial cluster each in the Keylong and Patan valleys. These clusters will focus on promoting local entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods, especially for women.

In a major decision, the DC approved the establishment of a weekly market near the Atal Tunnel.

Himachal Tribune