Shimla, December 25:
The Himachal Haat coming up near the Lift in Shimla will serve as a dedicated marketplace for ‘Him Ira’ products, giving a major marketing boost to women self-help groups (SHGs) across Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Thursday.
Built at a cost of Rs 2 crore, the Haat will have 25 shops showcasing handicrafts, handlooms, food products and traditional Himachali cuisine made by women SHGs from all 12 districts. The initiative aims to raise rural incomes and strengthen women-led enterprises, the Chief Minister said.
Sukhu said the state government is focused on linking women SHGs directly with markets to make them self-reliant. He added that SHGs are also being provided food vans, ensuring an average income of about Rs 50,000 per month.
At present, 5,428 SHGs, 1,257 village organisations and 189 cluster-level federations are functioning in the state. The government has released Rs 36 crore as revolving funds, Rs 41 crore as community investment funds and Rs 36 crore as risk mitigation funds, benefiting thousands of women-led groups and families.
Highlighting the impact of the Him Ira brand, Sukhu said 109 permanent Him Ira shops have already generated business worth Rs 34.95 crore, while 81 weekly Him Ira markets have clocked sales of Rs 29.70 crore.
For 2025–26, the government has approved 10 blocks under the Livelihood Rural Express Scheme, targeting 60 vehicles, with 18 vehicles worth Rs 1.15 crore cleared so far.
The Chief Minister said traditional crafts are also being revived through focused training programmes. In Kullu, 11 centres are training 108 artisans in hand knitting, handloom weaving, carpet making and Kullu cap production, with trainees receiving a Rs 2,400 monthly stipend.
He said rising tourist demand and sustained government support are helping traditional industries regain momentum, turning local skills into sustainable livelihoods and empowering women at the grassroots.
