CM Omar places women at forefront of govt policies: MLA Shameema

Srinagar, Mar 08: National Conference (NC) Women’s Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal Shameema Firdous on Saturday praised the Omar Abdullah-led government’s budget for 2025-26. She hailed the provision of free rides and support for 40,000 women in launching micro-startups as a valuable gift for J&K women on International Women’s Day.
The MLA said this while addressing a women’s wing convention held at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha here. The event was organised by the Women’s Wing Provincial President Er Sabiya Qadri. Party’s Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal was the guest of honour on the occasion. Social Media head Ifra Jan and Sardar J S Azad were present.
Highlighting the achievements of National Conference in serving the cause of women, Shameema said the party has been a trailblazer in the subcontinent, making efforts to bring women into politics. “The party’s role in shaping the destiny of our mothers and sisters cannot be underestimated,” she said.
Shameema said the budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is a continuation of the party’s “historic vision and mission”.
“Our Chief Minister has once again brought women to the centre stage of government policies and has heavily invested in increasing their mobility and elevating their financial status,” she said.
Expressing gratitude to CM Abdullah for his support for women, the MLA said that starting April 1, all women in Jammu and Kashmir will be granted free rides on government-owned public transport, including eBuses. This groundbreaking initiative is the first of its kind for J&K, she added.
The NC leader said the government aims to enhance women’s mobility, increase workforce participation and promote greater independence by eliminating transport costs. “Through the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme, the government will assist 40,000 women in launching micro-startups, ensuring a sustainable annual income of Rs 1 lakh and further advancing economic independence across the Union Territory,”
she said, adding, “This is a historic step that deserves applause.”
In her address Er. Sabiya Qadri said, “NC has taken pioneering steps forward for the full participation of women in politics and increasing their stake in nation-building.”
“Given a chance, women will be instrumental in lifting the politics above narrow divisions and demanding a focus on development, health, education, employment, economics and other issues that deeply affect the public. It is essential to bring women to the centre of political agenda and discourse. We are happy to have spearheaded this change. We will continue with our efforts,” Qadri added.