BANIHAL: Vice Chairperson J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB), Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat today visited Common Facility Centre of Banihal Beekeeping Cluster to inspect the ongoing works there.
Besides beekeepers and stakeholders from the cluster area, Muzaffar Nasir Allaqband, Deputy Chief Executive Office, Tilak Raj, Divisional Officer Jammu and other officers were present on the occasion.
Taking cognizance of slow progress on execution of civil works, VC asked the Implementing Agency to step up their efforts at all levels ensuring clusters are completed in a time-bound manner.
VC also interacted with public representatives of the area, beekeepers and other stakeholders.
Referring to main objective of the said cluster, VC said that with establishment of this cluster, the earnings of beekeepers of Ramban district shall increase manifold besides raising the profit margin and production of honey in the district.
She added that the cluster is coming up with project cost of Rs. 138.10 lakh and its CFC shall house honey processing plant and other relevant machines and equipments. The facilities of honey extraction, processing, packing, labelling and marketing shall be provided to beekeepers of the area under one roof.
She stressed upon the unemployed youth to take benefit of employment schemes like PMEGP and JKREGP being implemented by J&K KVIB to eradicate the menace of unemployment by establishing self employment ventures.
Later, VC visited various micro industrial units established under PMEGP and JKREGP in Banihal area of Ramban. She underlined the need for penetration in remote areas through organization of localized awareness and sensitization campaigns.

KR Desk