SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (UMEED) has mobilised over 8.10 lakh women into more than 96,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs), marking a significant expansion of women-led rural entrepreneurship and financial inclusion across the Union Territory.
The progress has drawn appreciation from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who commended the Rural Development Department and UMEED for driving socio-economic transformation in rural areas through strengthened SHG networks and livelihood support systems. He said the sustained efforts have significantly enhanced women’s participation in entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid growing national recognition of the programme. Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also acknowledged the achievements under UMEED, stating that Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a strong example of inclusive, women-led rural transformation.
In a communication addressed to the Chief Minister, the Union Minister said continued focus on scaling high-value enterprises, strengthening market ecosystems and improving convergence across schemes would further accelerate progress under the mission. He expressed confidence that Jammu and Kashmir would continue to set benchmarks in women-led rural development.
According to official data, the programme has facilitated over Rs 3,106 crore in bank credit and Rs 820 crore in capitalisation support for SHG-led enterprises, strengthening financial access for rural women.
Under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, more than 2,00,952 women have already achieved annual incomes above Rs 1 lakh, while over 2.30 lakh women have crossed the income milestone. The government has set a target to cover an additional 32,048 households by June 2026.
The administration has also indicated plans to further expand the initiative by converging it with Mission Yuva to scale up youth and women-led rural enterprises across Jammu and Kashmir.
