Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq today visited District Kupwara to review progress on various poverty alleviation programmes including Umeed scheme aimed to provide better livelihood facilities to the women particularly in rural areas.The minister while addressing the gathering said the government is committed to strengthen women Self Help Groups (SHGs) by providing every possible assistance to them aimed at eradicating rural poverty and to achieve overall development of rural economy.He said the government is taking all steps to assist the SHGs to grow besides effective and decentralized marketing of SHG products. He said the Umeed Programme launched by the state government has brought a great hope for poor women.Minister said making women self sufficient is the first step towards empowering women folk and that the schemes of SRLM are helping women to be self sufficient ultimately empowering them to be part of decision making in a family.
He said the Scheme is aimed to provide better livelihood facilities to the women particularly in rural areas by showing them a sustainable path to capital.Abdul Haq while addressing the gathering said that the Scheme has already brought great hope for poor women in not only to come out of poverty but also raise their status within the communities. He said the Government is committed for bringing revolutionary changes in the economic stability of the state particularly in rural areas.
While interacting with the SHG members promoted under Umeed Programme, he said each members has inspiring stories who would motivate anybody to initiate their livelihoods.On the occasion Minister was informed that over 18670 women members have been enrolled into 2100 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in District Kupwara, who are able to improve and generate income through these groups. These groups have their own thrift of Rs 2.88 crore, while as capitalization through the department is Rs 7.53 crore and Bank linkage is Rs 5.28 crore.Meeting was further informed that there are 30 Automatic Milk Collection Centers (AMCC) in District Kupwara, which are in operation since last 4 months and sold 72,000 litres of Milk for Rs 21.70 lakhs so far with an average milk production of 750 liters per day.
Minister was accompanied by Mission Director, JK SRLM, Bakshi Javid Hamayun who also spoke on the occasion and mentioned that the Umeed Programme shall be scaled up to the remaining blocks of Jammu & Kashmir. He said the Government is committed for bringing economic stability in rural areas and praised the perseverance of women and their role in nation building.Mission Director praised the SHG members who have accessed over Rs 15.69 crores and have invested for enhancement of their incomes.