Over 2200 SHGs operating in Ganderbal under Umeed scheme

Ganderbal, Dec 18: Over 2200 Self Help Groups (SGH) groups are operating in Ganderbal district where more than 18390 women members have found means of livelihood, courtesy UMEED JKRLM.
UMEED JKRLM Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission scheme is a source for self-employment for poor women in the far-flung areas in Jammu and Kashmir.
The SGHs are running different types of self-employment units like making slippers, dairy products, handicrafts, goat farming, vegetable production, tailoring, Kiryana, Bakery and cosmetics shops.
In Ganderbal’s Kangan block one such aspiring entrepreneur from Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, Haleema Begam wife of Abdul Satar Paswal resident of Wanght Kangan challenged herself to improve her financial situation for her family’s welfare after her house came under major landslide in the area. The family couldn’t afford to construct a small tin shed and buy household items to prepare a proper meal for kids because the family was living in extreme poverty.
However, with the support from the UMEED scheme her situation changed drastically She was provided with the platform to help her family financially after joining the Self Help Group (SHG) namely ISLAMUL.
She joined the group in 2018 with a monthly contribution of Rs 100.
Haleem said she had a dream to start her own business and build a house but it couldn’t see the light of the day due to poverty and financial crunches.
After financial help through Umeed, she could open her bakery shop. Haleema said initially, she took a loan of Rs 16000 as Saving loan (SL) from the group and total Capitalization support from JKRLM along with Bank Linkage Rs 4.56 lakh.
“Now I am the owner of a business venture namely ‘Pakeeza Bakery’ in Wanght Kangan and now I plan to establish a smart bakery shop in Main Market Kangan.”
Riyaz Ahmad Baigh Additional Mission Director JKRLM UMEED said that the UMEED scheme is to empower women to make them independent in Jammu and Kashmir and has become a boon for the rural women of Jammu and Kashmir.
Javid Ahmad Parray Block Programme Manager Kangan said the rising demand of sustainable livelihood, a large number of Women in rural areas are taking the path of UMEED, to become successful entrepreneurs.
Javid said the UMEED scheme is mandated to reach out to all the poor families, link them to sustainable livelihood opportunities and nurture them till they come out of poverty and enjoy a decent quality of life.