In view of the urgency to prevent spread of novel COVID-19 pandemic among the masses and break its transmission chain, Department of Rural Development, Kashmir has roped local entrepreneurs, self-help groups (SHGs) for mass production of masks.
Director Department of Rural Development Kashmir, Qazi Sarwar said for containment and mitigation of the spread of deadly coronavirus, all the officials of the Rural Development in unison with the members of PRIs including Chairman BDCs, Surpanchs, Panchs have taken up several measures to sensitize people.
“We have roped in hundreds of local entrepreneur, self-help groups (SHGs) for the mass production of masks in Kashmir region,” he said. “The masks are made under the guidelines and all the raw material is being provided to the SHGs for the production of the same,” he said, adding we are able to produce nearly *11000* masks per day and similarly these masks are handed over the rural population for its use.”
He said that in view of such instructions, it has been decided to set-up District level Task Force for placing orders, collection distribution of masks. He said that for this the Department was utilizing the services of NGOs , local tailor shops, boutiques, Self Help Groups of SRLM, KVIB, KVIC, Women Development Corporation, Handloom, Handicrafts, NABARD and community participation including PRIs.
“Also one mask shall be provided free of cost to each member of household with AAY ration card, Pension beneficiaries, Old age homes , Orphanages, children homes,” he said.
