Ramban, March 2 (ANI): Women in the Sangaldan block of Ramban district have become self-sufficient through the UMEED scheme of Jammu and Kashmir’s State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) by starting businesses in tailoring, cosmetics, and other fields.
With the scheme’s support, these women are not only generating income for themselves but also helping others, supplementing their family earnings, and securing bank loans without needing guarantors.
One beneficiary shared her experience:
“Our group has been associated with UMEED since 2018. I was able to open this shop with a loan through the scheme. I run my shop and do tailoring work as well. Our business is thriving, and our children can continue their studies, thanks to UMEED. Every woman in our group has started something of her own.”
Since 2019, the UMEED scheme under the J&K Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) has been dedicated to empowering women from marginalized communities by integrating them into sustainable livelihood ventures.
Previously, in 2023, women in Rajouri, Jammu also established small businesses under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) UMEED scheme as part of a broader effort to support women’s empowerment.
A member of the initiative emphasized how the scheme has contributed to reducing unemployment among local women:
“…We raised awareness about the NRLM UMEED scheme, and now all the women in our Panchayat have joined it, significantly reducing unemployment in our area.”
Jammu & Kashmir ranks among the top ten states and Union Territories in terms of women entrepreneurs benefiting from the UMEED scheme. Many of these women have also created job opportunities for others who were previously financially disadvantaged.
The UMEED programme, a centrally sponsored initiative under the J&K National Rural Livelihoods Mission, aims to make women self-reliant and financially independent. It also encourages small savings, enabling Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to access bank credit at lower interest rates over time