Srinagar, Apr 13: The State Rural Development Department's attempt to publicize its achievements under a self employment program for rural poor has gone horribly wrong.
 On its website the RDD has uploaded a “success story” of a woman who reaped the benefits of a Government of India scheme - Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana – with department’s support. The scheme aims at providing employment to poor in rural areas.
 However, in publicizing the “achievements” the Department has endorsed the ill treatment faced by the woman and her family by in-laws at Wakura (erstwhile Lar in Gnaderbal) village.
 “My Husband’s monitory contribution towards the joint family was not sufficient. This was the reason that both, my husband and I were facing ill treatment and abusive language from my in-laws daily,” the department has quoted the woman’s tale on its website, http://jkrd.nic.in/success.htm. “One fine morning, my in-laws threw all our belongings out of house. This was a cruel blow to my dreams. The dream, that I will give education to my children, was shattered. We were almost thrown on road, having no dwelling to live in, no utensils, and no essential commodities; to feed at least my children.”
 The story adds: “All of us were crying whole day. Many neighbors showed sympathy and asked us to live in their house. In the evening one of our relatives, living nearby, gave us the shelter.”
 That is when the woman who knew the art of paper machie heard about the SGSY.  The scheme required her to form a group of women well versed with the art to avail benefits. She succeeded in the attempt and the group was named Madina Paper Matchie Self Help Group.  Today the group with 10 member strength not only buys raw material on its own but sells the finished goods to local buyers at appropriate cost.
 Kashmir has seen rise in the cases of domestic violence involving in-laws. Last year the only Women’s Police Station in Kashmir at Srinagar received around 400 cases of domestic violence. “Most of these cases were the result of misunderstanding between the two parties,” said SHO, Gulshan Akthar. “We were able to solve around 350 cases at our level while rest of them landed in different Courts.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST