Doda, October 9, 2025 – Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda, Harvinder Kumar, IAS, led a dynamic review meeting yesterday to advance Mission YUVA, focusing on amplifying awareness, strengthening inter-departmental coordination, and ensuring swift bank disbursements to foster self-employment among the youth. Held at the DC Office, the session aimed to streamline the scheme’s rollout in Doda, a district grappling with unemployment and geographic challenges.Mission YUVA, a central government scheme, targets youth aged 21-29 from Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and economically weaker sections, offering loans up to ₹25 lakh for micro-enterprises, paired with skill training. With over 500 beneficiaries identified in Doda this year, the initiative seeks to spark entrepreneurial growth in the region.DC Harvinder Kumar called for urgent action to maximize impact. “Mission YUVA is a game-changer for our youth. We must ramp up awareness, align departmental efforts, and speed up loan processes to empower young entrepreneurs,” he said.
He instructed the Social Welfare Department to lead outreach in remote areas like Gandoh and Kishtwar, while the Industries Department was tasked with providing technical support for business plans.Key challenges, including limited awareness in rural areas and delayed loan approvals, were addressed. The DC directed the creation of block-level awareness teams for grassroots campaigns and urged banks to disburse loans within 20 days of approval. A digital monitoring tool was proposed to track progress. “Quick action will not only empower individuals but also boost local economies,” a banking official remarked.The meeting, attended by DDC members, bank representatives, and officials from Rural Development, Social Welfare, and Industries, set a follow-up review for November 18. This effort supports Jammu and Kashmir’s broader push for #Entrepreneurship and #YouthEmpowerment.
