‘Avail benefits of Govt schemes’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 14: In a major step towards economic empowerment of displaced and migrant communities, J&K Government today provided financial support to 350 youth belonging to displaced families of PoJK, West Pakistan Refugees and Kashmiri migrant families, to start their own business venture.
The historic event was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Convention Centre.
“It is a momentous day for J&K. The financial assistance extended to displaced families of PoJK, West Pakistan refugees and Kashmiri migrant families today will help them to realize their dreams and ignite entrepreneurial culture in the community,” Sinha said.
He said during the special governance camp, various Government departments, District Industry Centres, KVIB, J&K Mission Youth in collaboration with J&K Bank and Relief & Rehabilitation department conducted outreach programme and reached out to the youth aspiring to start their own business enterprise and contribute to the society.
The Lt Governor highlighted the resolve of the UT administration, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create a progressive entrepreneurial ecosystem in the UT.
“Entrepreneurship is not merely a means of livelihood for youth but a potent instrument to fulfill their aspirations and dreams. J&K Government is committed to provide support for skill development and entrepreneurship opportunity to empower the future of the youth,” he said.
Sinha called upon the youth, especially the girls of the displaced and migrant communities to come forward and avail the benefits of self-employment schemes of the Government.
He also commended the J&K Bank for ‘Sewa Se Swabhimaan’, a dedicated initiative for the economic empowerment of Kashmiri migrants and displaced families of PoJK and West Pakistan Refugees.
Sinha said “This initiative is very significant for me personally as we have come together to bring a positive change in the lives of the people who have suffered injustice and discrimination all these years. Today I am happy to see that you have embarked on a new entrepreneurship journey with the help of J&K Bank and set foot on a path of economic prosperity for which I am pleased with J&K Bank.”
Recalling the recent Srinagar speech of Prime Minister, wherein he spoke at length about the J&K Bank’s transformational journey in the last few years, the LG, amidst applauses from the gathering, said, “It was really a proud moment for all of us and J&K Bank has truly become a people’s Bank now.”
“Viksit Bharat and Viksit J&K will become a reality through youth and women empowerment. Let’s not be job seekers but become job providers. I urge all of you – youth and women in particular- to come forward and defeat the psychological barriers and set on a journey with new desires and make honourable PM’s dream and vision of ‘economic prosperity for all’ a reality”, he added.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner/Secretary Vikramjit Singh said, “I am happy to see that 350 beneficiaries have been provided employment through loans. J&K Bank has always responded positively to the Government’s call. Such self-employment initiatives for Kashmiri migrants and refugees from West Pakistan and PoJK will definitely help these people in terms of achieving self-sufficiency.”
Earlier, in his welcome address MD & CEO J&K Bank said, “As a premier financial institution of J&K, we firmly believe that the key to sustainable development lies in harnessing the potential of our youth by equipping them with the resources to flourish in the fast-evolving competitive world around us. Today’s event is of utmost significance as Kashmiri migrants and refugees from West Pakistan and PoJK form a vital component of our society and deserve better and greater support from J&K Bank.”
“During the special drive the Bank has received 1709 applications; out of which 350 cases have been sanctioned. The rest of the cases are being processed and will be disposed off on priority”, he added.
Further, he assured the audience that J&K Bank will support and handhold these entrepreneurs so that their business ventures expand successfully and contribute not only to the development of J&K UT but the national economy as well.
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