Valley boasts of 554 women entrepreneurs in three years

Srinagar: As many as 554 women have joined the bandwagon of women entrepreneurs in Kashmir during the last three years, notwithstanding the turmoil the scenic Valley has gone through during the period, the worst being the post-Burhan Wani killing unrest of summer 2016.

With that the tally has touched the 1,500 mark and as has been claimed in an official statement issued here on Monday. “These female entrepreneurs are happily running their own business units in Kashmir.”

State’s social welfare minister Asiea Naqash, who held a series of meetings with the officials of various government departments and allied agencies, including Women Development Corporation (WDC) here, was told that the UDAK has sent action plan worth Rs 38 crore to Government of India for approval.

The programme includes various components, including skill development training, self-employment, self-help groups for women, support for urban street vendors and shelter for urban houseless. “For self-employment a loan amount of Rs 2 lakh rupees with 7 per cent interest subsidy is given to beneficiaries under the component,” a statement said. The minister was informed that out of 1,000 cases in the state, 792 such cases, including 248 in Srinagar, have been disbursed during 2016-17.

She was also informed that the state’s handicrafts department has disbursed 1,466 handicraft loans to artisans for carpet looms and that 68 training centres for artisans of different kinds would be set up at various locations in Srinagar.

With her meeting with the WDC, the minister was briefed that action plan of Rs 38 crore for 1,670 beneficiaries has already been submitted to the government. Also, the Corporation has provided training to 300 women in various crafts during the last three years.