Kashmir: Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with women entrepreneurs

The interaction programme included over 60 women entrepreneurs from J&K working in a variety of sectors, including beekeeping, dairy, handicraft, journalism, copper works, and furniture manufacturing.

The event featured success stories of women entrepreneurs who benefited under different schemes initiated by the J&K government.

"The land of Kashmir is the land of Maa Sharada and that absolute power-packed knowledge-driven energy is what has come out here. I appeal to you to move around the country and share your stories," Sitharaman said.

She also encouraged the women entrepreneurs and the Mission Director, RLM to prepare a detailed plan, after threadbare consultations, on how they could be facilitated in a much better way.

The action plan can further be incorporated in the next budget, she added. 

On the occasion, the Lt Governor noted that J&K is engaging with women entrepreneurs through programs like 'UMEED’, ‘SAATH’ and ‘HAUSLA'.

“Today, 54,325 Self-Help Groups have been formed under the UMEED program to empower women in rural areas to become financially independent and more than 4.5 lakh women have been associated with it," he said.

Financial assistance of about Rs 1000 crores has been provided to the women entrepreneurs of UMEED Self Help Group, he added.