Srinagar, Oct 12: Minister for Social Welfare, Education and Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired the 31st meeting of the Board of Directors of the Jammu and Kashmir Women’s Development Corporation (JKWDC) Limited at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Social Welfare, Dr Doifode Sagar Dattatray; JKWDC Managing Director Purnima Mittal; representatives of the Planning and Finance Departments of Jammu and Kashmir; and representatives of Apex Corporations from New Delhi.
The Board deliberated on various administrative, financial and policy matters concerning the functioning of the Corporation and took several decisions aimed at improving its efficiency and delivery of welfare schemes.
Addressing the meeting, Itoo stressed the need for greater transparency, accountability and responsiveness to ensure that eligible women beneficiaries receive the intended benefits of welfare and development schemes in a timely manner.
She called for strengthening institutional mechanisms, streamlining procedures and improving coordination among stakeholders to facilitate access to financial assistance, self-employment opportunities and other support measures for women entrepreneurs.
The Minister said welfare initiatives should translate into tangible improvements in beneficiaries’ socio-economic conditions by promoting entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods and economic self-reliance.
She also directed the Corporation to maintain regular engagement with beneficiaries and community representatives to identify emerging needs and address genuine concerns within the prescribed framework.
During the meeting, the Board stressed the need to intensify efforts to recover outstanding loans, particularly long-pending dues, and directed the Corporation to adopt all permissible measures for effective follow-up and timely recovery.
Itoo also enquired about the establishment of an online system for loan recovery and the disbursement of benefits under various schemes.
The Board approved the budget estimates for the financial year 2026–27, covering the Corporation’s revenue and capital requirements to facilitate the implementation of its development and welfare programmes.
It also approved the financial statements for 2024–25, which will be forwarded for audit.
The Board emphasised financial discipline, improved recovery of outstanding loans and timely implementation of approved programmes to ensure effective delivery of benefits to eligible women entrepreneurs.
