SRINAGAR: The government has mobilised 91,445 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Jammu and Kashmir, benefiting nearly 797,805 households under various rural development initiatives. These figures were revealed in a response by the Ministry of Rural Development to a question in the Lok Sabha on February 11, 2025.
The SHGs in Jammu and Kashmir are primarily supported under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). These schemes aim to provide financial inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and social empowerment to rural women. Under DAY-NRLM, women from economically weaker households are organised into SHGs, enabling them to undertake economic activities and enhance their income levels.
The government has also initiated various measures to boost SHG incomes. Sub-schemes such as the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana, Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme, and Deendayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushalya Yojana aim to create sustainable livelihood opportunities. The government has set a target to help SHG members achieve an annual income of at least Rs 1 lakh, supported by a mobile application for income and activity tracking.
To promote SHG products, the Ministry has partnered with major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho, through dedicated initiatives like Flipkart Samarth and Amazon Saheli. Additionally, the e-commerce platform eSaras has been launched to market SHG products nationwide.
