Continuing its endeavor to upgrade the socio-economic status of the women in the state, The State Rural Livelihood Mission has enrolled about 2.30 lakh women members in its Umeed scheme, this was informed during a meeting chaired by Minister for Rural Development, Abdul Haq Khan to review the implementation of various schemes under SRLM.Mission Director SRLM Bakshi Javaid Humayun informed the meeting that since the inception of the scheme in 2013 in the state, the Mission has enrolled 2.30 lakh female members in 25379 Self Help Groups in 70 blocks of the state.Minister was informed that the women in groups are involved in various economic activities and the government is assisting them in sustaining their livelihood by providing them financial assistance, bank linkages, marketing of their products and other technical support.Abdul Haq said the government provided a Revolving Fund of Rs 27.40 crore and Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs 57.33 crore to these SHGs so far.Minister expressed satisfaction over the successful implementation of Umeed scheme and said that economic independence is key to women empowerment. He said the government believes in action rather than mere rhetoric and that when the government talks about women empowerment, they actually mean it and the success of Umeed is one glaring example of the same.
Meeting was further informed that during the current financial year till February 28, the department promoted 7382 SHGs and provided RF of Rs 8.80 crore and CIF of Rs 18.82 crore.Abdul Haq informed that the department intends to implement Umeed activities in additional 30 blocks, thereby taking the implementation of blocks under JKSRLM (Umeed) Programme to 100 blocks. He said that these blocks, shall include 12 remaining blocks under the programme declared as backward blocks/districts as per NITI Aayog.He said the government intends to enroll 1.14 women in 13453 SHGs and 1005 Village Organizations.Minister appreciated the officials and the field staff of Umeed scheme and stressed on them to work with extra zeal to ensure successful implementation of the scheme.He said the Mission should seek convergence especially with with various Departments for extension of their schemes like Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Agriculture department and also seek technical support from NIRD for brick making, using low cost technology so that same can be include as a domain in Umeed scheme.