In a bid to empower youth with jobs and entrepreneurship, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday launched the first of its kind “Har Hith” store scheme for promoting the sales of best quality of daily need products at reasonable prices.
“These stores will provide a platform to youth franchisees as well as Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), government cooperative institutions, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), Self Help Groups (SHGs) to increase their business,” said Khattar while officially inaugurating and inspecting a store during a programme held at Panchkula.
The Chief Minister said , “Making Haryana ‘Berojgar Mukt, Rozgar Yukt’ by 2024 is our target and opening of these stores would ensure creating of a necessity and would also enhance the possibility to encourage entrepreneurship and further create an ecosystem that promotes youth to be a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
He said that these stores would not only play a pivotal role in enhancing the manufacturing capabilities of MSMEs but would also prove to be a game-changer for market access to government cooperatives.
“With the opening of these stores, the State Government’s model of making youth a job giver instead of job seeker would also be accomplished,” he said.
'Franchise Policy' launched
The Chief Minister also launched 'Franchise Policy' under which those interested to apply for these stores can apply after duly following the terms and conditions. As per the policy, people in the age group of 18-35, women, persons with special disability and those verified under Mukhyamantri Parviar Uthan Yojana would be given preference. As per the policy as many as 1500 stores would be opened in rural areas and 500 in urban areas in the first phase.
“From today, the people can apply for these stores on the portal. In the coming two months, a target has been set for formally launching the first 100 stores,” he said.
Khattar while launching the official website for the applicants to submit their applications for the store said that in the first phase, Haryana has planned to open 2000 stores and in the second phase a target of opening 5000 such stores has been set.
Haryana Agro Industries Corporation Limited will allot one franchisee having 200 sq. ft. area over a population of 3000 per village, one at least per ward in the municipal corporation and one at least in a group of wards having a cumulative population of 10000 in municipal committee or council.
The Chief Minister announced that young members of families having annual income less than Rs 1.80 lakh and who have been verified under State Government’s ambitious Parivar Pehchan Patra scheme will also be given priority in this “Har Hith” Store scheme.
He also announced that if these youth show their interest then through these stores, the State Government will also guarantee a minimum monthly income of Rs 15,000 per month to these youth.
“As per the sale provision made in the scheme, the franchisee partner who sells products worth Rs 1,50,000 will earn a marginal profit of 10 percent that is Rs 15,000,” he informed.
Meanwhile, if any youth whose verified family annual income is less than Rs 1.80 lakh and are unable to earn an income of Rs 15,000 in the first six months, then the State Government will guarantee them to get financial assistance for at least six months, the Chief Minister added.
Khattar further said “If the youth is able to earn Rs 12,000 then the government would give him a compensation amount of Rs 3,000 as financial aid, if the income is above Rs 13,000, then the government would provide compensation of Rs 2000 and so on. The State Government will ensure that his minimum income comes to Rs. 15,000.”
He said that if the applicant of the franchise is financially weak, then the State Government would provide a loan facility under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana without any guarantee.
During the programme the Chief Minister was apprised that Haryana Agro Industries Corporation Limited (HAICL) has already signed Terms of Trade (TOT) with as many as 51 big corporate houses which would be providing their quality products in these stores.
It was informed that these stores would be enabled with a complete IT support system ensuring the smooth running of the retail store. All the sales would be done through a point of sale system. Scanning the goods through the machine will facilitate billing, online payment, keeping material details and ordering stock.