Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS, today inaugurated a new store called ‘La Ketmung’ in Arkong Ward, Mokokchung (adjacent to Urban Oasis). The store has been set up to give local entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) a place to sell their products, a need that has long been felt in the district.
Assistant Commissioner Mokokchung Ajay Moktan, IAS, said the initiative was proposed by the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW–Mission Shakti), Mokokchung, after noticing that many women and entrepreneurs were producing goods but lacked outlets to reach buyers. A seed fund of ¹ 2 lakh from the Centre for Co-operative and Livelihoods (CCL), LBSNAA was used to establish the store, he said.
“Any SHG members are free to keep their products here with only a minimum 10% charge. Individuals and women entrepreneurs can also place their products here to sell them. Depending on sales, we will allocate space but we are not buying,” Moktan said.
He further added that products in the store have been sourced from across the district and that the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) has also extended its support to the initiative.
Moktan said the focus will be on sustaining sales. “We are also expecting support from NABARD in the future,” he added.