Jammu, Mar 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said Mission YUVA has the potential to become a national model for self-employment, as he urged youth to shift from job seekers to job creators.

Addressing the Yuva Mahotsav under Mission YUVA at the Convention Centre in Jammu, the Chief Minister said unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and cannot be addressed through government jobs alone.
“No country has solved unemployment through government jobs alone. Our aim is to create opportunities where youth can build enterprises and provide jobs to others,” he said.
He stressed that the initiative is being implemented in a mission mode to ensure scale and impact, noting that ₹1,000 crore in credit has already been achieved. On the occasion, he oversaw a single-day disbursal of over ₹100 crore covering 3,003 beneficiaries.
Highlighting the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, Abdullah pointed to difficulties in securing loans, collateral requirements and financial risks, saying the government’s role extends beyond funding to include marketing, expansion and continuous support.
He also announced the launch of a Credit Guarantee Fund for agri-allied sectors and digitally inaugurated 20 Small Business Development Units (SBDUs) to strengthen the ecosystem.
Calling for integration with grassroots initiatives, he said schemes like Lakhpati Didi could be linked with Mission YUVA to expand opportunities and scale incomes.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said the programme marks a transformative step towards youth empowerment, while Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo assured full administrative support.
Managing Director & CEO of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Amitava Chatterjee described the initiative as a rare success among government-backed programmes.
The Chief Minister said the scheme will be reviewed regularly, with feedback from beneficiaries used to improve implementation, adding that the government remains committed to building a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem across the Union Territory.