SRINAGAR:   Advisorsto Governor, K Skandan and K Vijay Kumar today convened a meeting regardingimplementation of Women Self Help Groups (SHG), Skill Development andengagement of Youth in various sports activities.

The meeting had detailed discussion regarding Self HelpGroups functioning and trainings provided by different departments in respectof the activities assigned to give SHG members a platform to boost theirincome.Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce (I&C) Department, NavinKumar Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Rigzin Samphel, Secretary RuralDevelopment Sheetal Nanda, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan,Secretary, Youth Services & Sports Sarmad Hafeez, Deputy Commissioner,Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Information, Gulzar Ahmed Shabnam,Senior Superintendent Police Haseeb Mughal, Director Tourism Nisar Ahmad Wani,Director Industries and Commerce Mehmood Ahmed Shah, Director Rural DevelopmentDepartment Qazi Sarwar, Director Handicrafts, Inder Jeet and other seniorofficer were present in the meeting.

The Advisors stressed that focus should be laid on theartisans involved in various crafts in the city and gaps which restrict theartisans from making skill economically viable be detailed out. They stressedfor providing artisans craft market and backward and forward linkages includingthe post avenue marketability to make them self-sufficient.

The Advisors directed YS&S Department to formulate acalendar of activities and tournaments at Panchayat, Block and district level,besides developing the sports infrastructures.The Advisors directed forcreating mass awareness about state and centrally sponsored schemes for theirbetter implementation and ensure that benefits are percolated to the low andunderprivileged section of the society.

Stressing for making district career counselling cells morevibrant, the Advisors directed all concerned officers to work with closecoordination so that the youth engagement, women empowerment programs become asuccess in the State.