SRINAGAR: Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Wednesday directed stakeholder departments to adopt a mission-mode approach for implementing the Lakhpati Didi Initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods among women self-help group (SHG) members.
Chairing a meeting of the Union Territory-level Steering Committee under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM-UMEED), Asad stressed the need for convergence among departments, skill development and financial inclusion to help rural women establish sustainable micro-enterprises.
Officials informed the meeting that 2.40 lakh women in Jammu and Kashmir have already attained Lakhpati Didi status, while the Union Territory has set a target of 3.64 lakh beneficiaries by 2029.
The Secretary directed all stakeholder departments to integrate their flagship schemes with JKRLM and prepare convergence plans covering sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, livestock, dairy, poultry and fisheries. He also called for timely institutional credit, market linkages and household-level enterprise planning.
Emphasising skill development, Asad asked the Mission to strengthen partnerships with national training institutions, adopt best practices from other states and organise exposure visits for officials and beneficiaries.
He also directed the Mission to explore partnerships with private apparel manufacturers and other industries to create employment opportunities for women-led enterprises and improve market access.
The meeting was informed that the Digital Aajeevika Register (DAR) is being used for beneficiary identification and progress monitoring, while the Enterprise Planning Digital Tool (EPDT) is assisting in preparing customised enterprise plans.
Officials said institutional credit worth ₹1,200 crore has been targeted under the SHG Bank Linkage Programme for potential Lakhpati Didis. In addition, 4,200 women are proposed to be covered during the current financial year under the Lal Ded Stree Shakti Scheme through micro-loans amounting to ₹42 crore in collaboration with J&K Bank.
The meeting also reviewed financial inclusion initiatives, including doorstep banking services being provided by 372 Bank Mitras and 710 Banking Correspondents across rural areas, along with financial literacy and enrolment drives under various social security schemes.
Asad said the Lakhpati Didi Initiative was aimed at empowering rural women through entrepreneurship, financial independence and sustainable livelihoods, and called for coordinated efforts to achieve the Union Territory’s targets.
