Srinagar, Mar 08: To mark the celebration of International Women’s Day, Jammu and Kashmir Women’s Development Corporation (WDC) on Wednesday organized a Loan Mela cum Awareness Camp sponsored by National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) New Delhi within the office premises at SDA Colony, Bemina.
The camp was inaugurated by the chief guest, Ulfat Jabeen, Managing Director WDC. Almost 400 women beneficiaries including Self Help Groups from the areas like, Bemina, Qamarwari, Batmaloo, Noorbagh, Palpora, Rambagh, Rajbagh, Rajourikadal etc participated in this function.
Speaking on the occasion, the MD WDC emphasised upon women in general and Self-Help Groups in particular to come forward and work in unison for their rights and stand on their own feet and make their life prosperous. She further added that the Government has initiated numerous schemes for making women economically self-reliant and giving them their due place in the society.
While highlighting the activities undertaken by the WDC for women empowerment, she stated that under various loan schemes WDC has disbursed an amount of Rs. 280.80 crores and benefitted 18,245 women beneficiaries by establishing their own income generating units like Cutting/Tailoring cum fabric art, Sozni/Shawl Embroidery, Departmental Stores, Bakery units, Milk and milk products for their economic empowerment.
Besides providing loans, she said WDC is also providing skill Development Training in various viable activities/trades like, Cutting/Tailoring/fabric art, Block Printing, Kani Shawls, Jute file folders etc.
The training is being provided for duration of 3-6 months and stipend @ 1000/- per trainee is given after formation of Self-Help-Group which is mandatory.
She informed that WDC has disbursed an amount of Rs.11.56 crores amongst 2995 Self Help Group members for establishing their own income generating units for their economic empowerment and for sustenance of the groups under Micro Finance Schemes of Govt. of India. A small stall displayed is giving the idea of manufacturing of the products produced by the beneficiaries after availing loan from this Corporation.
Similarly, under the Educational Loan Scheme WDC has benefitted 712 beneficiaries by providing loans to the tune of Rs. 10.18 crores for pursuing education within and outside India.
Apart from loans, the mission of WDC is to provide marketing support to the beneficiaries/SHGs associated with WDC by conducting exhibitions or by participating in the national level exhibitions. WDC as on date has conducted 44 exhibitions within and outside the Union Territory besides participating in the national level exhibitions held at IITF, Surajkund, Dilli Haat, HunnarHaat etc.
The MD WDC disbursed sanction letters worth Rs. 22 lakhs amongst various women beneficiaries for establishing their own income generating units for their self-reliance and apart from sanction letters, she also distributed 20 course completion certificates amongst 20 women beneficiaries who attained 6 months training in Cutting/Tailoring and fabric art run at Allochi Bagh, Srinagar.
