The State Government has taken an initiative to promote usage of locally grown food products in preparation of Prasad in the temples of U’khand.The Govt plans to promote women self help groups for preparation and marketing of Prasad in an organised way for 625 temples of the State.
The CM told mediamen at State secretariat that the Govt has made Prasad distributed in temples as a medium to double the income of the farmers, augment their income and for women empowerment.
He said that more than 3.15 cr tourists visit the State and the Govt is targeting a modest 80 lakh tourists visiting the temples in the project. Rawat said that if each pilgrim is sold a Prasad of Rs 100 only then an additional income of at least Rs 80 Crores can get infused in rural economy. Giving an example of three women self help groups located in Badrinath temple, the CM claimed that these groups comprising of ten members each sold Prasad worth Rs 19 lakhs in just two months, thereby earning a profit of Rs 9 lakhs. He said that after success of Badrinath experiment, the Prasad would be sold in other temples of the State. The Prasad would be made by Amaranth seed, other local millets and sold in baskets made from Ringal (Hill Bamboo), he added.
Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conversation Organisation (HESCO) founder and recipient of Padam Shree Anil Joshi said that use of locally grown food grains is being made in the Prasad.
The HESCO is training the women self help groups in preparation, packaging and marketing of the Prasad.