Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM–UMEED) is emerging as a major catalyst for livelihood generation, financial inclusion and women empowerment, Secretary Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj Mohammad Aijaz Asad said during his visit to Srinagar and Pulwama.
Asad inspected the ‘Umeed Ka Zaika’ Food Service Enterprises (FSEs) established at Awantipora and Srinagar. The women-led enterprises, developed with technical support from National Resource Organisation (NRO), Kudumbashree, are managed entirely by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and receive infrastructure, capacity building, technical guidance and continuous handholding support from JKRLM.
The Secretary also inaugurated and flagged off vehicles provided to SHG members of Pulwama under the Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY). Inspecting an eco-friendly vehicle procured under the scheme, he said JKRLM had provided financial assistance of over ₹6 lakh for its purchase.
He said AGEY is helping address transportation gaps in remote villages while creating sustainable and dignified livelihood opportunities for rural women.
Asad said similar Food Service Enterprises have already been operationalised in several districts and would be expanded further across J&K. He stressed that the objective is to enable rural women to become financially independent and successful entrepreneurs capable of running sustainable enterprises.
Managing Director JKRLM, Dr. Shubhra Sharma, said the Mission remains committed to creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through SHGs and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs). She said AGEY vehicles are also being introduced to improve rural connectivity while generating employment for women entrepreneurs.
Dr. Sharma informed that nearly 96,000 SHGs comprising around 8.5 lakh rural women are presently associated with JKRLM across Jammu and Kashmir. The Mission is supporting them through financial inclusion, bank credit linkage, livelihood promotion, leadership development and capacity building.
(JJ News Desk)
