SRINAGAR: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined substantial progress in women’s empowerment and welfare initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir during her budget speech on July 23. The government’s focused efforts over the past few years have resulted in significant advancements across various schemes and programs aimed at uplifting women in the Union Territory, she said.
Nirmala Sitharaman Union Finance Minister
One of the major highlights of FM Sitharaman’s speech was the expanded coverage of the Ladli Beti scheme, which aims to improve the status and well-being of girl children in the region. The scheme has seen a dramatic increase in its reach, expanding from 16,095 cases in 2017 to an impressive 1,61,552 cases up to 2023-24.
The financial assistance provided under this scheme has also seen a substantial rise, growing from Rs 24 crore to Rs 847 crore during the same period.
The Marriage Assistance scheme, another critical initiative for supporting poor girls, has provided financial assistance to 1,04,326 beneficiaries since its inception in 2015-16. The total financial aid distributed under this scheme amounts to Rs 394 crore.
This programme, she said, has been instrumental in easing the financial burden on families during marriage, ensuring that young women can start their new lives with dignity and support.
The Finance Minister also highlighted the success of self-help groups (SHGs) in empowering women economically. Over seven lakh women are now associated with approximately 90,000 SHGs across the Union Territory. These groups have provided a platform for women to engage in various economic activities, enhancing their financial independence.
In addition, around three lakh women farmers have received training, enabling them to establish nearly two lakh agriculture nutrition gardens. These gardens are crucial in meeting the nutritional needs of their families, promoting food security and sustainable agriculture practices.
The Rural Livelihood Mission has been a pivotal force in driving economic growth at the grassroots level, she said. A new initiative under this mission aims to promote Lakhpati Didis —women who earn over one lakh rupees annually through various micro-enterprises. This initiative is set to establish new micro-startups across the Union Territory, fostering entrepreneurship and financial stability among women.
She said the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Second Amendment) Act, 2023, now mandates the reservation of one-third of all elected seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for women. This amendment ensures greater representation of women in the political arena, paving the way for more inclusive governance and decision-making.
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