DODA: To promote entrepreneurship and skill-based employment among youth, the District Administration Doda, in collaboration with the Department of Employment, organized a Capacity Building cum Entrepreneurship Mela under the Mission YUVA initiative at Doda.
The event was presided over by the District Development Commissioner (DDC), Doda, Harvinder Singh (IAS), and witnessed enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs, female business aspirants, students from various colleges, district officers, and resource persons from JKEDI, Polytechnic College, and ITI Doda.
In his address to the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner reiterated the Government of Jammu & Kashmir’s unwavering commitment to creating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. He emphasized that Mission YUVA is not merely a loan scheme, but a comprehensive growth platform aimed at nurturing youth through entrepreneurship, skill development, mentoring, and financial support. He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage the digital platforms, institutional handholding, and incentive schemes available under the mission.
The Mela provided detailed insights into the three key verticals of Mission YUVA:
Creation of Nano Enterprises (CNE): Offering collateral-free loans between ₹1–10 lakh, with subsidies up to 30% for women and PwD candidates.
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME): Supporting new enterprises with project costs ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹125 crore.
Business Acceleration for Existing Enterprises (BAEE): Targeting businesses older than 5 years with loans up to ₹25 crore and interest subvention up to ₹10 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Director Employment, Doda, Rafiq Ahmad Jaral informed that the application process is fully digital, accessible via the Mission YUVA App and missionyouth.jk.gov.in, requiring only basic documents such as Aadhaar, Domicile Certificate, PAN, Project Report, and proof of business activity.
He further highlighted that Mission YUVA is backed by a comprehensive administrative ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs from ideation to execution. Business Help Desks (BHDs) at the Sub-Division level and Small Business Development Units (SBDUs) at the District level serve as one-stop support platforms, offering services like business ideation, mentoring, loan facilitation, DPR preparation and market linkage support.
The Mela also featured departmental stalls where various government departments showcased their schemes and services. Departments including Employment, Industries, Agriculture, Horticulture, Polytechnic College, and ITI put up informative exhibits to create awareness and guide visitors about opportunities available under their respective domains. A dedicated stall on Mission YUVA, set up by the Employment Department Doda, served as a focal point for youth seeking guidance and real-time registration support under the mission.
The event was marked by the participation of over 800 young attendees, including a large number of female participants from across the district.
The Mela was graced by a galaxy of officers, including Additional District Development Commissioner Doda, Roshan Lal; ACD Doda and ACP Doda, Din Mohammad Afaqi and Musharaf Ali Haf, respectively, along with several other senior district officers.
The event concluded with inspirational messages, encouraging the youth to step into entrepreneurship fearlessly and reminding them that true success lies in embracing challenges and believing in their dreams.
The Mela was widely lauded as a dynamic and action-oriented initiative, reflecting the district administration’s deep commitment to empowering youth and building a pathway towards self-reliance and economic prosperity in Doda.