The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is making a significant impact in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, by empowering rural women and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. Through the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and small-scale livelihood units, the scheme is aiding poor families, particularly women, in achieving financial independence. In various blocks of Rajouri, the NRLM has set up women SHGs where members are involved in income-generating activities.
One successful instance is the “Kangan Spices Namkeen, Packing and Manufacturing Unit” in Choudhary Nar, Rajouri, where a group of rural women are earning a steady monthly income through packing work. Comprising mainly poor, widowed, and economically disadvantaged women, this unit provides them with a reliable source of livelihood. Engaged in sugar packing work, these women earn approximately Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per month by dedicating just one hour daily, aiding them in supporting their families.
The women shared their positive experiences, highlighting the scheme’s transformative impact on their lives. Previously unemployed and dependent on others, they now have a source of income and the confidence to contribute to their households, thanks to the NRLM initiative. The NRLM scheme is operational in 19 civic blocks of Rajouri district, with various SHGs involved in diverse livelihood activities, including packing units, mushroom cultivation, dairy farming, and other small-scale enterprises to boost employment opportunities and enhance rural livelihoods.
Over time, the NRLM initiative has emerged as a crucial support system for rural women, enabling them to earn a livelihood and play a pivotal role in the economic development of their families and communities.
