BANDIPORA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, on Tuesday chaired the second monthly interaction under the ‘Kahani Jeet Ki’ initiative with beneficiaries of various government-sponsored schemes and livelihood programmes at the Mini Secretariat, Bandipora.
The interaction brought together beneficiaries from multiple departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Handloom, Handicrafts, District Industries Centre (DIC) and allied sectors, who shared their progress, experiences and challenges.
During the interaction, a beneficiary from the Sheep Husbandry Department informed the DC about receiving a 50-ewe unit under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) with a subsidy of ₹2.5 lakh, which has significantly improved her livelihood. Another beneficiary showcased a finely crafted Pashmina shawl and narrated how financial assistance of ₹50,000 received through the Handicrafts Department enabled her to start Sozni work (Pashmina embroidery), generating a sustainable source of income. Other beneficiaries who received similar units also shared how these interventions have enhanced their earning capacity.
A progressive farmer from Watapora, Mohammad Azad Bhat, shared his success story of starting farming on three kanals of land and achieving an annual income of ₹5 lakh through seedling sales. With continued support from the Agriculture Department and SKUAST-K, he has established six low-tech polyhouses and two mini hi-tech polyhouses. Now recognised as a “Champion Farmer” in Bandipora, he runs his own enterprise, “Bhat Vegetable Nursery,” and has received several awards for his progressive work.
Speaking on the occasion, Javeed Ahmad Bhat, a 32-year-old entrepreneur from Ajas, Bandipora, representing JCP Enterprises, manufacturers of hollow blocks and tiles, shared his entrepreneurial journey. He stated that starting with a ₹7-lakh loan from EDI Bandipora in 2014, his enterprise has grown into a successful unit with an annual turnover of ₹6–7 crore, providing employment to around 120 people.
Addressing the gathering, the DC said that such monthly interactions would continue as a platform to review ground-level implementation of schemes, promote transparency, and strengthen inter-departmental convergence to further boost livelihood generation across the district. She appreciated the efforts of the beneficiaries and encouraged them to adopt innovative practices while motivating others in their communities to avail benefits under government schemes.
Other beneficiaries also shared their individual journeys, challenges and future expansion plans under various components of HADP and allied livelihood schemes, highlighting the role of training, subsidies and departmental support.
The interaction was attended by the Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Bandipora, District Sheep Husbandry Officer Bandipora, Chief Horticulture Officer Bandipora, representatives of concerned departments and a large number of beneficiaries.