Srinagar, October 09, 2025 – In a significant push towards women empowerment and rural financial inclusion, J&K Bank and its sponsored entity J&K Grameen Bank have collectively disbursed Rs 100 Cr in loans to 2673 SHGs (Self-Help Groups) operating under the JKRLM (Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission). This milestone marks the culmination of a rigorous month-long campaign designed to bolster self-help groupsand align with the Government’s vision of fostering women-led entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods across the Union Territory.The disbursement event unfolded during the ongoing SARAS Mela at Municipal Park here, organized by JKRLMunder the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). A symbolic cheque of Rs 100 Cr was presented to JKRLM representatives, underscoring the banks’ unwavering commitment to the initiative. Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and received the cheque from J&K Bank General Manager (Retail, Agri & MSME/GSS) Rakesh Magotra and J&K Grameen Bank General Manager Raja Sajad.
The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Mission Director JKRLM Dr. Shubra Sharma, Additional Mission Director JKRLM (Kashmir)Mohammad Imran Khan, J&K Bank Deputy General Manager Aneet Kanwal Singh, and senior officials from NABARD, the banks, and JKRLM.Speaking at the event, Minister Dar commended the collaborative efforts of J&K Bank and J&K Grameen Bank, stating, “This sanctioning of Rs 100 Cr to 2,673 SHGs is a landmark step in promoting self-employment and women-led enterprises in rural Jammu & Kashmir. It directly supports the Government’s vision of women empowerment through accessible credit and skill-building via self-help groups.” He emphasized how such interventions empower rural women to transform their micro-enterprises into viable income sources, contributing to inclusive economic growth.Rakesh Magotra, General Manager of J&K Bank, highlighted the strategic partnership with JKRLM, noting, “The achievement of this Rs 100 Cr milestone under JKRLM reflects our deep commitment to strengthening the SHGecosystem. By ensuring seamless access to credit, we enable rural women to confidently build and expand their enterprises, aligning with broader goals of women empowerment, financial inclusion, and sustainable development in Jammu & Kashmir.”This disbursement is part of a broader month-long campaign spearheaded by the banks to intensify credit linkage for SHGs, focusing on sectors like handicrafts, agriculture, and small-scale trading.
The SARAS Mela, running for 11 days, has provided a vibrant platform for over 100 women artisans and entrepreneurs from J&Kand beyond to showcase handlooms, traditional crafts, and culinary products, further amplifying the impact of these financial interventions.J&K Grameen Bank, sponsored by J&K Bank, plays a pivotal role in extending rural banking services, particularly for SHGs under DAY-NRLM. Officials from both institutions reiterated their dedication to priority sector lending, with this initiative alone benefiting thousands of rural households by fostering self-reliance and reducing dependency on informal credit sources.The event not only celebrates financial progress but also reinforces the synergy between banking institutions, government missions like JKRLM, and community-driven models such as SHGs. As J&K continues its journey towards holistic development, such targeted efforts are expected to scale up, empowering more women to drive economic resilience in underserved areas.
