The Government of India and the administration of Jammu and Kashmir have expanded programmes aimed at boosting women’s livelihoods and entrepreneurship, officials said, as part of broader efforts to promote inclusive economic growth in the region.
Under the UMEED scheme, more than 700,000 women have been organised into approximately 80,000 self-help groups (SHGs) to support income generation, financial inclusion and rural entrepreneurship. Authorities said the initiative has strengthened women-led enterprises across districts.
Central government programmes, including the Hub for Empowerment of Women under Mission Shakti, benefited over 28,000 women in the most recent financial year, providing access to legal assistance, financial literacy and social welfare services.
The regional administration has also introduced women-focused schemes such as Tejaswani – The Radiant Scheme, offering soft loans and financial support to help women start and expand self-employment ventures, particularly in service and manufacturing sectors.
As part of these efforts, officials in Kulgam organised a Women Entrepreneurship and SHG Mela, showcasing products made by rural women entrepreneurs. The event aimed to strengthen market access and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Additional District Development Commissioner Altaf Ahmad Khan visited the exhibition and interacted with participants, officials said.
Organisers said workshops held during the two-day event focused on improving business and marketing skills, while participants reported that government-backed training and financial support had helped them generate steady income and achieve greater financial independence. (Source: news syndicate and ANI)
