Govt to open marketing outlets for SHGs in 13 villages: Dhami

CM inaugurates Udyamshala Chaupal
my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Aug: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Chief Minister Udyamshala Chaupal‑2026 at his camp office here today. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the CM asserted that the state government is committed to making women, youth and rural entrepreneurs self‑reliant. He shared that under the Chief Minister Udyamshala Yojana, more than 13,000 entrepreneurs have already been supported, including over 8,000 women entrepreneurs and members of self‑help groups who have been linked to opportunities of livelihood and enterprise. He also announced the opening of a state‑level marketing centre at IT Park in Dehradun for the products of self‑help groups (SHGs) from all the districts, covering 13 villages.

Dhami stated that the villages are not only participating in the development of the state but are also playing a vital role in building a self‑reliant Uttarakhand through their strength and hard work. He emphasised that the youth of the state, the determined women and the local products all have the potential to reach national and international markets, provided their skills are given the right direction. The Udyamshala Yojana has been advanced with this vision and that it aims to make Uttarakhand’s youth job creators rather than job seekers, as well as to strengthen the economic condition of farmers and women. Through this scheme, rural entrepreneurs are being provided training, financial assistance, technical guidance and market linkages to start and expand their businesses.

The CM reminded that more than five lakh rural women have already been connected to over 70,000 SHGs under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, and more than three lakhs have become Lakhpati Didis. He claimed that the women are turning local produce such as hill spices, mandua, jhangora, pulses, honey, pickles, jams, handicrafts, woollen products and traditional art into viable businesses. The government is working to ensure that the village products reach major cities across the country, and the House of Himalayas umbrella brand has been created to promote them. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the mantras of Vocal for Local, Local to Global and Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the state government is striving to implement them on the ground.
The CM said that rural entrepreneurship also aims to check migration, ensuring that youth are not compelled to leave their villages in search of employment, as strong villages will make Uttarakhand strong. He added that through the Gramotthan Project (REP), extremely poor families in villages are being linked to livelihood opportunities to increase employment. Udyamshala Chaupals are being organised in all the thirteen districts to spread awareness about government schemes and ensure maximum benefit to the people.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister honoured Lakhpati Didis and women entrepreneurs, released a book and annual report prepared under the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission and also launched integrated agricultural cluster training modules, infant and child nutrition modules, and modules for prevention and management of anaemia among women and children.
Cabinet ministers Bharat Chaudhary, Ganesh Joshi and Khajan Das, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, MLAs Umesh Sharma Kau and Savita Kapoor and Secretary Rural Development Dhiraj Garbyal were among those present.