The decision was taken after an of analysis of the mission’s performance so far, the government said

The Central Government, in its efforts to extend centrally launched welfare schemes to the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, has approved a special package of Rs 520 crores under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission for the next five years.

The Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the fund till Financial Year 2023-24 to ensure the funding of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The government has, however, not linked the allocation with the poverty ratio during this extended period.

The government in an official statement said, “This will ensure sufficient funds under the Mission, as per need to the UTs and is also in line with Government of India's aim to universalize all centrally sponsored beneficiary-oriented schemes in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh in a time bound manner.”

The decision to extend the mission for the next five years has been taken on the basis of analysis of the mission in the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh so far, the government said.

The government said that the DAY-NRLM has resulted in improving the quality of life in rural households and has promoted women’s empowerment in the union territories.

Such schemes have brought many positive changes in the lives of the rural population of India, the government said in the statement.

“These included increase in income levels, improved assets base, creating new/multiple livelihoods opportunities for women, higher savings, higher investments for productive purposes, productive utilization of loans etc. In addition, it has had a positive impact on resolving community level issues, increased transparency in beneficiary selection, social harmony and mutual help,” the statement said.

A large cadre of community resource persons and social capital in the form of SHGs members and officer bearers has also been created, the statement said.

The DAY-NRLM was launched in June 2011. The scheme which focuses on poverty alleviation by promoting various livelihoods for poor households in rural areas was extended to Jammu & Kashmir when it was a state as ‘Umeed’ Programme under State Rural Livelihoods Mission.

The central government in 2013, brought a special package to cover all rural vulnerable households in the state within the stipulated time frame of financial years 2013-2014 to 2017-2018.