Srinagar, April 09, 2025 – A transformative initiative aimed at empowering rural Kashmiri women has taken flight with the introduction of the ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’ by J&K Bank in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir National Rural Livelihood Mission . This pioneering microfinance product is designed to uplift thousands of women in Jammu and Kashmir, fostering entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and inclusive growth across rural communities.
The ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’ was officially launched on March 8, 2025, by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, marking a significant step toward financial inclusion and economic empowerment for rural women. Following the launch, J&K Bank and JKRLM solidified their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on April 7, 2025, to ensure effective implementation of the scheme. This collaboration aims to provide tailored financial support to women-led Self-Help Groups , enabling them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures and achieve economic independence.
The initiative targets rural Kashmiri women, offering them access to micro-loans to kickstart or expand small businesses. Named after the revered 14th-century Kashmiri poetess Lal Ded, the scheme symbolizes strength, resilience, and purpose—qualities that resonate deeply with the women it seeks to empower. By providing financial wings to SHGs, the ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’ aims to break barriers of economic dependency and pave the way for sustainable livelihoods.
Under the MoU, JKRLM will identify eligible SHG members, offering training and support, while J&K Bank will handle loan evaluations and disbursements through a streamlined, time-bound process. This synergy ensures that rural women receive not only financial aid but also the guidance needed to succeed as entrepreneurs.
“Through the ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’, we hope to see thousands of Kashmiri women rise with strength and purpose, contributing to the socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The scheme aligns with broader efforts to promote inclusive growth in the region. Jammu and Kashmir, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse rural landscape, has long faced challenges in ensuring economic opportunities for its women. The ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’ addresses this gap by focusing on rural women’s entrepreneurship, a key driver of community development.
The partnership between J&K Bank and JKRLM builds on the success of earlier efforts to support rural livelihoods. JKRLM, under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, has been instrumental in mobilizing SHGs and promoting sustainable income generation. With J&K Bank’s financial expertise, the ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’ promises to scale these efforts, reaching more rural women than ever before.
As of April 9, 2025, the scheme is already generating buzz, with stakeholders hopeful that it will inspire a wave of women-led enterprises across J&K. From handicrafts to agriculture-based ventures, the possibilities for rural Kashmiri women are vast, and this initiative provides the foundation for them to thrive.
The ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’ is more than a financial product—it’s a movement to recognize and harness the potential of Kashmiri women. By fueling entrepreneurship and fostering self-reliance, it sets the stage for rural women to rise with strength and purpose, reshaping the economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
As this initiative unfolds, it holds the promise of not only uplifting individual lives but also strengthening the fabric of rural communities. For Kashmiri women, the journey toward economic empowerment has begun, and the ‘Lal Ded Stree Shakti Loan’ is lighting the way.