Section 1
Vision, Mission, Objectives and Functions
Vision
To serve the women of Jammu & Kashmir State by empowering them for attainment of social and economic independence.
Mission
To provide skill development, training, soft loans/micro credit, and permanent market support for facilitating livelihood with honour and dignity, especially for Militancy Hit Victims, Widows, Orphans, Destitute Women, Divorcees, Half Widows, and women falling Below Poverty Line.
Objectives
J&K State Women’s Development Corporation (WDC) aims for long-term social and economic empowerment of women by ensuring direct access to and control over resources through mobilization and convergence of ongoing sectoral programmes. Objectives include:
- Identification and promotion of women entrepreneurs.
- Conducting awareness camps and identifying women for empowerment activities.
- Providing skill upgradation training and forming Self Help Groups (SHGs) for micro credit.
- Strengthening saving habits among rural women.
- Raising awareness on health, education, legal rights, and social issues.
- Helping women establish income-generating units through soft loans at low interest.
Functions
- Providing soft loans under NMDFC, NBCFDC, NHFDC, and ESW schemes.
- Offering education loans for professional courses.
- Conducting vocational/skill development trainings.
- Providing marketing support through fairs and exhibitions.
- Organising awareness camps and capacity building programmes.
b) Micro-Financing Loan Scheme
Target Group: WDC provides direct loans to NGOs/SHGs for activities like Jute Accessories, Tailoring, Embroidery, Paper Maché Work, Vegetable Growing, Dairy, Pashmina Spinning, Carpet Weaving, etc., or any other viable trade identified by beneficiaries.
Eligibility: Groups of 5–20 beneficiaries from backward class communities, aged 18–45 years, permanent residents of J&K, and not defaulters of any financial institution.
Annual Family Income: Rs. 1,03,000 (urban) / Rs. 81,000 (rural)
How to Apply: NGOs/SHGs must fill out the prescribed form available with J&K WDC.
Funding Pattern
- Maximum Loan Limit: Rs. 50,000 per beneficiary
- GOI Share: 95%
- State Share: Nil
- Beneficiary Share: 5%
- Rate of Interest: 4%
- Repayment: 12 quarterly instalments over 3 years (with 3 months moratorium)
c) Educational Loan Scheme
Eligibility: Individual beneficiaries from backward class communities, aged 16–32 years, permanent residents of J&K, and not defaulters with other institutions.
Courses: All professional/technical courses at graduate and higher levels, approved by AICTE, MCI, UGC, etc.
Annual Family Income: Rs. 1,03,000 (urban) / Rs. 81,000 (rural)
How to Apply: Prescribed application form available with J&K WDC.
Other Terms & Conditions
- Admission/tuition/exam fees paid directly to the institution by cheque.
- Miscellaneous expenses (books, boarding, lodging) reimbursed via institution.
- Loan released semester/annually, subject to passing previous exams.
Funding Pattern
- Loan Limit: Rs. 10 lakhs (India) / Rs. 20 lakhs (abroad)
- GOI Share: 90%
- State Share: 5%
- Beneficiary Share: 5%
- Interest Rate: 4%
- Repayment: After 6 months of course completion or earlier if employed
National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC)
Target Group: Differently-abled women (≥40% disability), regardless of caste/religion/income. Loans provided at minimal interest for self-employment.
a) Term Loan Scheme
Who Can Apply:
- Women with ≥40% disability (certificate from CMO/Medical Board)
- Aged 18–45 years
- Permanent residents of J&K
- Relevant qualifications for technical trades
- Non-defaulters (affidavit required)
How to Apply: Fill prescribed application form from J&K WDC.
Funding Pattern
- Max Loan: Rs. 5 lakhs
- Upto Rs. 0.50 lakhs: 100% central share
- Rs. 0.50–1 lakh: 95% central, 5% state
- Rs. 1–5 lakhs: 90% central, 5% state, 5% beneficiary
- Interest: 4–6%
- Repayment: 24 quarterly instalments over 6 years (6-month moratorium)
Empowering Skilled Young Women (ESW Scheme)
Eligibility:
- Aged 18–45 years
- Permanent resident of J&K
- Matriculate or above
- Non-defaulters
Terms & Conditions
- Loan: Rs. 50,000 – 3 lakhs
- Share: 90% WDC, 10% beneficiary
- Interest: 6%
- Repayment: 5 years (after which 12% interest applies)
Trades Covered: Jute, Toy-making, Floriculture, Horticulture, IT, Food processing, etc.
Awareness Generation Camps
WDC regularly conducts awareness camps across J&K to inform women about available schemes, loan facilities, and socio-economic empowerment opportunities.
Marketing Linkage
WDC organizes fairs and exhibitions inside and outside J&K to help beneficiaries sell products. It has a special tie-up with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) for Jute Prashad Bags, ensuring continuous demand and sustainable income.
- Free training via NMDFC/NBCFDC
- Market availability ensured
- Profit goes directly to beneficiaries
- Full logistic support provided
Acronyms Used
- J&K WDC: Jammu & Kashmir State Women’s Development Corporation
- NMDFC: National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation
- NBCFDC: National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation
- NHFDC: National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation
- ESW: Empowerment of Skilled Young Women
- SMVDSB: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board