*Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Chairperson J&K KVIB chairs awareness camp at Town Hall Pulwama*

Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Chairperson J&K KVIB presided over Awareness Camp cum interactive session with educated unemployed youth and aspiring entrepreneurs at Town Hall Pulwama. The programme was also attended by senior officers from Board, officers from District Administration, officers from bank fraternity and large number of educated unemployed youth and aspirant entrepreneurs of the area.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat underscored the need for ensuring active engagement of stakeholders to make a meaningful impact on employment opportunities across UT of J&K. She reiterated the need for synchronised efforts by implementing agencies and Banks to ensure that the benefits of employment generation programmes viz. PMEGP and JKREGP are percolated among target population. It was informed that from the last five years, margin money of Rs. 56.34 crores have been released in favour of 2233 beneficiaries in Pulwama district thereby creating employment opportunities for 17212 persons.

Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat underlined the need for inculcation of market-oriented skills among youth and reiterated that Board is at the forefront in organising the craft and skill development trainings for aspirant entrepreneurs and unemployed youth. She enjoined upon the prospective entrepreneurs to explore the possibilities of establishing their own micro-enterprises thereby creating employment opportunities for themselves as well as others. Dr. Hina Shafi added that Board is committed to extend every type of hand-holding support for seamless growth and development of Industrial Sector in UT J&K.

Earlier, the officers gave detailed presentations about the Modalities involved in implementation of JKREGP and PMEGP. The stakeholders were informed that these schemes are online and aspirant entrepreneurs can apply online for availment of financial assistance under these schemes.