KL Report
SRINAGAR
Union cabinet has approved special norms exclusively for Jammu and Kashmir for the ‘Umeed’ project as part of National Rural Livelihoods Mission(NRLM), this was stated by Union minister for Rural development, Jairam Ramesh in a letter addressed to chief Minister Omar Abdullah, copy of which lies with Kashmir Life. This would include the change in funding pattern between the centre and state from the existing 75:25 to 90:10, and provisions of additional funds.
Talking about the future plans of ‘Umeed’ project, Jairam mentioned in letter that in next five years, besides establishment of 90000 SHGs, 9 lakh members would be added to them. The total cost of ‘Umeed’ project is around 755 crore.
Expressing satisfaction, Jairam wrote, “I am also happy to share that the BPL criteria for enrolling women as members has been done away with and replaced by a process of participatory identification of the poor (PIP) and thereby almost two-thirds of rural women in J&K would become members.”
“As you are aware, ‘Umeed’ has already been seeded in Basoli (Kathua), Chenani (Udhampur), Khansahib (Budgam) and Lar (Ganderbal). These four districts will be the focus in 2013/14.
Jairam extended all support top Omar led government to make ‘Umeed’ a success. “I want to assure you that we will continue to provide you all professional assistance for the success of ‘Umeed’ like we are doing in the case of ‘Himayat’.
He also sought help from state government by way of having a core staff to implement the project.
“There has to be the certain core staff for the mission that includes, most importantly, a full time mission director, two full time additional mission directors ( at least one of these three should be ideally a women). We also need at least 8 to 10 professional staff at the state level. Of course, similar staff have to be recruited at each district as and when they roll out. Of course, it goes without saying that younger the staff better off we all are.”
He assured Omar of sending his team as soon as he (Omar) appoints the staff in state. With hope of making ‘Umeed’ a success, Jairam writes that ‘Himayat’ and ‘Umeed’ together will have far reaching impact on J&K.
