Govt promoting entrepreneurship, startups in J&K: LG

Srinagar, July 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday said the government was promoting entrepreneurship and startups in Jammu and Kashmir.

Launching the ‘Hausla 2.0’ and JK Startup Portal in Srinagar, LG Sinha reiterated the J&K administration’s resolve to promote entrepreneurship and startups in J&K, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said the endeavour like startup policy was a testimony to the government’s commitment to providing necessary support and resources to the youth to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

The LG said that building on the success of Hausla 1.0, the inaugural batch, Hausla 2.0 seeks to enhance financial inclusion among women in Jammu and Kashmir by promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating market access.

He congratulated and extended his best wishes to the women and young startup entrepreneurs on the occasion.

LG Sinha said that the prime objective of the Hausla programme was to harness the entrepreneurial potential of women in J&K, increase financial access and market reach for women entrepreneurs and create a nurturing ecosystem for women's economic empowerment.

“We want women entrepreneurs of J&K to build global brands and fortunes through their own hard work and strong drive. Our focus is women-led development and dedicated efforts have been made for women's economic participation to boost economic growth,” he said.

The LG said that the overarching goal was to establish a sustainable enterprise model that contributes to employment generation and economic growth.

“The new JK Startup portal will ensure the seamless execution of the startup policy. The portal will streamline the application process for various support mechanisms - seed funding, mentoring, startup awards and claiming infrastructure benefits for the development of incubators and incubation facilities,” he said.

LG Sinha also commended the JKTPO, JKEDI, J&K Bank, and other stakeholders for their significant contribution in empowering the women and young entrepreneurs of J&K.

He said that to support the startup ecosystem and promote innovation in the region, JKEDI had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with five higher educational institutions. LG Sinha said that the MoUs would help the students enhance their skills and knowledge with entrepreneurship, innovation, and startups.

Speaking on J&K’s exceptional journey towards peace, progress and prosperity, he called upon the people to stand united in the fight against the divisive forces trying to disturb peace in the Jammu region.

“The administration and our security forces will never allow the adversary’s nefarious design to succeed. We will eliminate the terrorists and root out terrorism and its supporters from J&K,” the LG said. On the occasion, women entrepreneurs associated with Hausla 1.0 and shared their success stories.

They also thanked the LG-led J&K administration for providing necessary support and guidance for their business ventures.

Hausla 1.0 programme has successfully trained 118 women entrepreneurs, expanded networks, facilitated participation in national exhibitions, and increased market reach.

Under Hausla 2.0, JKEDI will ensure quality training sessions at the district level for the selected 400 women entrepreneurs from J&K. This decentralised approach would ensure broader regional participation and cater to women from various sectors, it was informed. Vice Chancellor IUST, Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo; Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof Nazir Ahmed Ganai; Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Vikramjit Singh; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat; Managing Director, JKTPO, Khalid Jahangir; Director, JKEDI, Rajinder Sharma were also present at the event.