New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS): The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved a special package amounting to Rs 520 crores for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. It is for a period of five years and ensures the funding of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in the two UTs on a demand driven basis without linking the allocation with poverty ratio.

"This will ensure sufficient funds under the mission, as per requirement to the UTs and is also in line with the Government of India's aim to universalize all centrally sponsored beneficiary-oriented schemes in J&K and Ladakh, in a time bound manner," said the Centre on Wednesday.

This is based on the outcome of an evaluation pointing to the potential of the Mission to improve the quality of life of rural households and women's empowerment given the changed circumstances in J&K and Ladakh.

The DAY-NRLM is a centrally sponsored programme that aims at eliminating rural poverty through promotion of multiple livelihoods for the rural poor households across the country.