Stressing the need of self-employment and women empowerment, Minister for Social Welfare, Health, Forest, Ecology and Environment, Bali Bhagat has said that the economic empowerment is the major tool for social development and in this regard various welfare and developmental schemes are being carried out by the government.The Minister said this while addressing a gathering after inaugurating 10-Day long 30th Exhibition-cum-Sale fair organized by J&K Women’s Development Corporation at Sports Ground opposite Sher-i-Kashmir Park here today.Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Ms Asiya Naqash was also present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bhagat said Government will provide all possible support for the welfare and upliftment of underprivileged sections of society. He asked women come forward and take advantage of different welfare and developmental schemes sponsored by WDC to setup their own income generating units to earn their livelihood with dignity and honour.
The Minister said the corporation is also making all efforts to provide better market support to such beneficiaries to make them self reliant and to ameliorate the socio economic conditions of women. He also appreciated the efforts of JKWDC, for imparting skill development trainings to the beneficiaries to make them able to establish their own entrepreneur units. He impressed upon beneficiaries to come forward and avail the benefits of turnkey schemes of JKWDC.Ms. Asiya Naqash in her address focused upon the multi-dimensional role that women play. She further said that empowerment would lead to political and social justice once women are first economically empowered. She further added that success of few women cannot be attributed to all, thus we need to empower each women in J&K.
She also stressed for covering such areas and beneficiaries which are not yet covered under these schemes so that their socio-economic conditions are improved.Managing Director, J&K WDC Dr. Naheed Soz, in her welcome address informed that 40 stalls have been set up and about eighty women beneficiaries are participating in the ten days exhibition. She further stated that till date WDC has provided loans to the extent of about Rs.110 crores to the target groups and covered 15000 beneficiaries. She said that WDC is conducting Skill Development Trainings and thereafter provides micro finance to such beneficiaries for establishment of income generating Units.MLA Mrs. Anjum Fazli also spoken on the occasion and highlighted the need of women empowerment.Director, Social Welfare Kashmir, Hashmat Ali, Secretaries of various Boards and other officers were also present on the occasion.