Bandipora, October 11, 2025 – In a significant step towards fostering youth-led innovation and self-reliance in Jammu & Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, chaired a District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) meeting on Thursday, approving 47 youth entrepreneurship cases under the ambitious Mission Youth United for Victory & Aspiration (Mission YUVA). This approval, worth an estimated ₹2.35 crore in financial assistance, underscores the district administration’s commitment to empowering young aspirants with seed capital and institutional support to transform their business ideas into sustainable ventures.Held at the Mini Secretariat in Bandipora, the meeting focused on a meticulous review of applications forwarded through the Skill and Business Development Unit (SBDU). After thorough scrutiny, technical evaluation, and verification of project feasibility, the committee greenlit these 47 proposals spanning diverse sectors such as agri-processing, handicrafts, eco-tourism, digital services, and sustainable farming. Mission YUVA, a flagship initiative of the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir government, aims to nurture over 2.5 lakh young entrepreneurs nationwide by providing up to ₹7.5 lakh per beneficiary in low-interest loans and mentorship.
DC Indu Kanwal Chib, while congratulating the selected youth, emphasized the transformative potential of such schemes in curbing unemployment and driving economic growth in rural and semi-urban areas like Bandipora. “These approvals are not just financial aid; they are catalysts for dreams, enabling our youth to become job creators rather than job seekers,” Chib stated during the session. She directed concerned departments, including the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), NABARD, and lead banks, to expedite sanction letters, ensure timely disbursal within 30 days, and offer continuous handholding through skill training and market linkages to guarantee project viability.The approved entrepreneurs, hailing from all blocks of Bandipora including Gurez, Tulail, and Sonawari, expressed gratitude for the platform that bridges the gap between aspiration and action. Among them is 28-year-old Aisha Khan from Hajin, whose proposal for a women-led organic honey processing unit received backing.
“This support will help us scale up from backyard beekeeping to a community enterprise, creating jobs for 10 local women,” Khan shared, highlighting the scheme’s ripple effect on gender-inclusive development.This latest batch adds to Bandipora’s growing success under Mission YUVA, with over 350 cases approved district-wide in 2025 alone, contributing to a total financial outlay exceeding ₹20 crore. The initiative aligns with broader goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, promoting innovation in high-potential sectors while integrating digital tools for business scaling. Officials noted that selected beneficiaries will soon undergo orientation workshops to navigate funding, compliance, and growth strategies.As Bandipora’s youth ecosystem flourishes, DC Chib urged more applications for the next cycle, reminding eligible candidates aged 18-35 to register via the official MyBharat portal. With these approvals, Mission YUVA continues to ignite entrepreneurial sparks, proving that empowered youth are the bedrock of a vibrant, self-sustaining J&K economy.
