Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Law & Justice Abdul Haq Khan today visited block Bishnah and interacted with the members of Self Help Group (SHG) formed under Jammu and Kashmir State Rural Livelihood Mission (JKSRLM).On the occasion, Minister of State for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Sunil Sharma, Vice Chairman, J&K Advisory Board for Development of Scheduled Castes Bhushan Lal Dogra, Mission Director, JKSRLM Dr. G. N. Qasba were also present.Addressing the gathering, Abdul Haq Khan exhorted upon the participants to avail the benefits envisaged under the mission and strive for their economic upliftment.Reviewing the achievements under JKSRLM, the Minister said that this mission envisages reaching out mobilizing and supporting nine lakh rural poor households across 22 districts (143 blocks) in the state.
The Minister said that livelihood mission mainly focuses on women empowerment, providing them avenues through formation of self-help groups for which state government is providing adequate financial support. “Women are supported in different sectors including pashmina weaving, horticulture, handicrafts, agriculture, dairy farming, provision stores, poultry farming, saffron cultivation, dress making etc” , added the Minister and asked the concerned to create requisite awareness among the stakeholders.He also focused on the need to bridge the gap between stakeholders and financial institutes for effective implementation of the schemes. He insisted, that bankers should adhere to the RBI guidelines in letter and spirit so that target poulance is benefited.Progress Report of Umeed, Block Bishnah was also launched by minister on the occasion.Highlighting the objectives of JKSRLM, Mr Sunil Sharma said that UMEED initiative is highly beneficial for poverty alleviation in rural areas through capacity building and generating livelihood avenues. He further said that the mission will help in economic empowerment of women. He hoped that the Self help group approach will widen the scope of benefit under UMEED.
The Ministers were apprised that Bishnah is one of the blocks in Jammu district where Umeed is being implemented since March, 2014. Since its inception in the block 788 SHGs have been formed and covered 8445 households. These SHGs have internal savings of Rs. 175.762 lakh. From the Mission part revolving fund (RF) of Rs. 115.5 lakh and Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs. 302.4 lakh has been disbursed to 770 and 756 SHGs respectively. Towards credit linkage 709 SHGs have taken bank loan first installment amounting Rs. 354.5 lakh and bank loan second dose amounting Rs. 303.00 Lakh for various income generating activities and for value addition to existing Livelihoods.Later the ministers inspects construction works of Irrigation Tube Well being carried under convergence with PHE department, construction of Nalla under MGNREGA at Chak Lala which will benefit 1500 villagers of Bishnah block.Among others Additional Mission Director, Jammu Kapil Sharma, District Programme Manager Samba, Block Development Officer Bishnah, Executive Engineer RDD, Sapranches, Panches, other official of various departments and financial institutions also attended the programme.