Credit cooperative banks empowering Kashmir’s rural women

SRINAGAR - The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, and Jammu Credit Cooperative Ltd have jointly taken initiatives to empower women by launching women credit cooperative banks in rural areas of the state.here are eight branches of the women’s cooperative bank in Jammu division, with 40 female employees. These branches are in district Sambha, R. S. Pura, Bisnah, Purkhoo, Pargwal and Marh among others.

“We will create its branches in eight districts and our motive is to uplift women, and when weaker section women approach big banks, they are not entertained and here we have interviewed women. Whenever they need money, we will provide them a loan through micro-credit from Rs 5,000 to 50,000,” said Kailash Verma, Chairperson of the Jammu Credit Cooperative Ltd.

“We have given them loans to open boutiques, parlours, for girl child’s education and to construct houses,” he added.

The cooperative society is planning to open more branches in Udhampur, Doda, Kistwar, Kathua, Poonch and Bilawar areas.

“It has benefited us a lot. If we go in another bank, they interview a lot, but here they come to us themselves and we feel comfortable with them. Here, we get loan in just one day and we get many other benefits from it,” said Sudhesh Kumari, a local.

The scheme has proved to be a success with around 2,800 rural women already enrolling themselves with the society. By Tahir Nadeem Khan (ANI)