Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Administrative Complex, Pulwama to assess the implementation and progress of Mission YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan) across the district.
Mission YUVA is a flagship initiative of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment among youth by providing awareness, capacity building, credit linkage and enterprise support.
At the outset, Assistant Director Employment, Pulwama presented a detailed presentation highlighting the progress achieved under various components of Mission YUVA, including Udyam Jagriti 4.0 awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, entrepreneurship promotion, credit linkage, loan disbursement, enterprise mentorship and mobilisation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Lakhpati Didis.
The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the block-wise and bank-wise performance under the Mission and stressed the need for accelerating efforts to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach all eligible youth and aspiring entrepreneurs. He directed all concerned departments, banking institutions and implementing agencies to work in close coordination for timely processing of applications, speedy sanction and disbursement of loans and effective handholding of beneficiaries.
Emphasising the importance of Udyam Jagriti, Dr. Qayoom directed the Udyam Jagriti Nodal Officers and concerned departments to further intensify awareness campaigns and training programmes with special focus on students, youth and SHG members so that every eligible youth is informed about the opportunities available under Mission YUVA. He said that Udyam Jagriti programme under Mission YUVA aims to create awareness about entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities and motivate youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.
The Deputy Commissioner also emphasized the importance of mobilising Self-Help Groups and Lakhpati Didis under the Mission. He directed the NRLM functionaries and concerned officers to facilitate the transition of SHGs into sustainable enterprises through proper mentoring, credit linkage and market support. He called for focused outreach among women entrepreneurs and urged officials to ensure that SHG members and Lakhpati Didis are encouraged to avail the benefits of the scheme.
Dr. Qayoom further emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of sanctioned cases and effective enterprise mentorship to ensure the sustainability and growth of ventures established under the Mission. He also directed banks to expedite the disposal of applications within the prescribed timelines and maintain regular follow-up with applicants.
While reviewing the block and municipality-wise status of applications received under Mission YUVA, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to devise a structured schedule for conducting awareness and mobilisation camps in low turnout areas to ensure participation, outreach and inclusive development of the society.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama and Awantipora; General Manager DIC; Assistant Commissioner Revenue; Assistant Director Employment; Lead Bank Manager; Cluster Head J&K Bank; District Nodal Officer JKEDI; District Programme Manager NRLM; Udyam Jagriti Nodal Officers; representatives of banking institutions and other concerned officers.