KATHUA, FEBRUARY 25: An Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP) was organized at Government ITI Billawar by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, through MSME-Development and Facilitation Office (DFO) Jammu in collaboration with District Administration Kathua.
The programme aimed at motivating unemployed educated youth and PM Vishwakarma artisans to establish enterprises in rural areas and promote self-employment.
Over 180 participants, including ITI students and PM Vishwakarma artisans, attended the programme and evinced keen interest in the entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives.
Young Professional, MSME-DFO Jammu, Shahid Hussain Wani delivered the welcome address and highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship in strengthening the local economy.
Assistant Director, MSME-DFO Jammu, Devender Kumar Tyagi (IEDS) apprised the participants about the flagship MSME schemes, detailing eligibility criteria, benefits and application procedures.
Superintendent ITI Billawar, Jitender Sharma spoke on the practical aspects of entrepreneurship, underscoring the significance of innovation, skill upgradation and proactive approach for successful enterprise development. Representative of District Industries Centre Kathua, Masqueen Babu elaborated on Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and other UT Government schemes, explaining financial assistance and incentives available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
A representative from Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Dheeraj Handu briefed the participants about the J&K Startup Policy and the support ecosystem including mentorship, funding and incubation facilities. Director, RSETI Kathua, Utpala Sekia along with Faculty Member Neha Salaria conducted sessions on financial literacy and credit linkages, emphasizing the role of financial inclusion in empowering first-generation entrepreneurs.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Senior Faculty Member, ITI Billawar, B.K. Dogoria, who reiterated the commitment of all stakeholders towards fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance among the youth of Kathua district.