Says Relief, Rehabilitation of KPs Prime Focus Of GoI, J&K Govt
Jammu- The Union Territory Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Friday that 11,000 appointments were made in Jammu and Kashmir in last one and a half years while 20,000 more posts have been identified and recommended for the recruitment process on a fast track basis.
The appointments, Sinha said, were made in the most transparent manner by the Union Territory administration. He made these remarks during a Press Conference at Convention centre here on Friday.
“For the first time in history, meritorious candidates from disadvantaged sections have got government jobs on the basis of merit. We are exploring all possibilities for generating a host of employment opportunities in every sector,” the LG added.
Replying to the question on the government’s efforts for the welfare of Kashmiri Pandits, the LG said that the relief and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits is one of the prime focus areas of both the Central and the UT governments.
“1025 Transit Accommodations are ready at various places in Kashmir Valley and 1488 units are at various stages of completion. Out of 6000 posts, appointments have been made to 4678 posts and the process of recruitment on the remaining posts is also being completed in mission mode,” he said.
Speaking about the recent visit of business delegates from Gulf Countries’ to explore investment opportunities, the LG said that his administration has cleared investment proposals to the tune of Rs 27,000 crore, within a year’s time and allotted them land for their projects.
“The investment proposals are expected to cross Rs 70,000 crores in the next six months,” he said.
He also said that his administration is encouraging cultivation by border dwellers on the abandoned land near the IB to increase acreage and production thus benefiting the farmers.
The LG also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for the historic Rs. 1,12,950 crore budget for the year 2022-23.
Sinha said that the futuristic budget reflects the needs and aspirations of the people of J&K and the commitment of the UT Administration for peace, progress and prosperity. He said that the immediate goal is to accelerate the pace of economic development in the UT of J&K and make it multi-dimensional,” he said.
“The budget 2022-23 is primarily a “Growth-Oriented” budget and is in line with the endeavours of the UT Government to double its economy in the next few years,” the LG said.
The budget envisages inclusive, all-round development in Jammu and Kashmir and has also provided resources to realize the vision of developed and prosperous Jammu & Kashmir,” he added.
Speaking about the sector-wise allocation and highlighting the key features of the budget 2022-23, the LG said that good governance, agriculture & horticulture, power sector, rural development, strengthening grass-root democracy, facilitating investment & industrial growth, infrastructure development, improving connectivity, broadening social inclusion, har ghar nal se jal, education , youth, tourism, and health & medical education sectors have remained the focus areas of the budget 2022-23.
He said that allocation of Rs 1313 crore to Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies is aimed at strengthening the grassroot democratic setup in the UT.
“Rs 200 crore have been earmarked as Development Fund for 20 District Development Councils (Rs 10 crore for each DDC) and Rs 71.25 crore for Block Development Councils (Rs 25 lakh each). Besides, Rs 357 crore has been kept for Solid Waste Management with the two Municipal Corporations and other ULBs,” the LG said.
He added that a huge allocation of Rs 9,289.15 crore has been allocated to the Jal Shakti Department this year. Rs 7750 crore kept under Jal Jeevan Mission for achieving the objective of 100% piped water supply to each household. Apart from this, 43 irrigation schemes are being targeted for completion this year under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and 28,000 hectares of irrigation potential will be created/stabilized during 2022-23.
This year, the LG said, Rs 2,835 crore have been allocated to the agriculture sector and Rs 646 crore to horticulture.
“The budget aims at doubling the farmers’ income in a planned manner. The strategy is to focus on cultivation of high yielding/high density crops, use of modern technology and a host of other measures,” Sinha said.
“Nine lakh farmers are being benefitted by distribution of High Yield Varieties/Hybrid seeds. Provision for coverage of 400 hectares under high density apple plantation and 1000 hectares under sub-tropical fruit plants has also been made in the budget,” he added.
The LG further said that Rs 391.90 crore allocated for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries sector will help to meet the target of setting up 2,000 additional dairy units in the Union Territory providing direct employment to 5000 people.
“This year’s allocation of Rs 5,443 crore for the rural sector will give a major fillip to our endeavors of Rural Development and Economy. Under MGNREGA, 426 lakh persondays to be generated and more than 14,000 youth will be trained under the Rural Skill Development Programme,” he said.
The LG said that target has been set for constructing 54,000 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during 2022-23. We are also targeting to include 21,994 additional Self-Help Groups to our existing tally.
“Dedicated focus is being given to connect all Gram Panchayats with the Internet. Under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, 1500 elected public representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions will be sent for exposure visits outside Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Terming connectivity as a priority sector and critical for all round development of the UT, the LG said that unprecedented progress has been made in the last two years in this regard.
He said allocation to the tune of Rs 6296 crore has been made to further strengthen the road and bridge network in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that four major National Highway projects viz; Jammu-Akhnoor Road, Chenani-Sudhmahadev road, Baramulla-Gulmarg road and Semi-ring Road Jammu are being completed during 2022.
“Execution of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project is also being taken-up, besides 10 new road/tunnel projects for the UT under Bharatmala project. Overall 6000 Kms of black topping of roads will be achieved during 2022-23 under various components,” he added.
For the power sector, the LG said, Rs 8,768 crore has been allocated in the budget this year.
“In the last one and a half years, historic steps have been taken to strengthen power generation and infrastructure. We are working diligently towards the target of generating 3500 MW of electricity in three years and this will be further increased to three times in 7 years,” he said.
“The Central Government has also approved Rs 11,000 crore Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) project aimed at improving the power system in the UT and providing quality power to the people of J&K. In this financial year, 3 lakh smart meters each will be installed in Jammu and Srinagar to ensure reliable power supply,” he added.
Speaking about the Health sector, Sinha said that the Union Government has earmarked Rs 7,873 crore which will go a long way in extending best-in class medical facilities to the people of the UT.
“The pace of coverage of AB-PMJAY will be accelerated covering all the residents of J&K. Efforts will be made to start the First Batch of MBBS classes in New Medical colleges at Handwara Kupwara and Udhampur, increasing the overall intake capacity to 1300 MBBS seats in J&K. Completion of seven nursing colleges is also targeted for 2022-23,” he said.
He also praised the Union Government for giving special attention to the School and Higher Education Department by allocating Rs 11,832 crore in this year’s budget. He said 500 Kindergartens will be established in government schools; 518 smart classrooms and 200 Vocational Laboratories are targeted to be established.
“We aim at completing 37 Girls Hostel Buildings and 12 KGBV buildings, constructing 7 college buildings, setting up Centers for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT) in Jammu and Srinagar, giving computer tablets to 8000 meritorious tribal students, besides providing skill training to around 20,000 undergraduate students. We have also set the target to accomplish 100% coverage of pre-matric and post-matric scholarship to Tribal students,” he added.
The LG also said that Rs.1,003 crore allocation to the Industries and Commerce Department will complement the ongoing efforts being made to take industrial development in the UT to new heights.
He said a substantial amount will be spent on establishing new industrial estates in Jammu and Kashmir and the Industries Department will also assist 2000 Self Help Groups for promoting handicrafts.
“In this year’s budget, an amount of Rs 200 crore has been allocated to provide financial assistance to young aspiring entrepreneurs of J&K,” he said.
“The Social welfare department’s Rs. 3,203 crore budget allocation will ensure that the benefits of the welfare schemes reach every eligible beneficiary. Motorized Tricycles will be provided to all Divyangjan,” he added.
Speaking about the allocation for the tourism sector considered to be the backbone of J&K’s economy, the LG said that Rs. 508 crore tourism budget will enable the sector to grow, thus benefiting the local population.
He said 75 offbeat destinations are being identified and developed, and unexplored areas are also being developed under public-private partnership.
“Keeping in mind the welfare of the tribal community, provision has been made to establish 14 new milk villages, besides constructing 7 transit accommodations for the community. Moreover, 29 Cluster Model Villages are being established which are at different stages of implementation,” he said.
The LG also said that development of Border Villages is another important sector that received a dedicated focus in the budget.
“With allocation of Rs 600 crore for border villages, and Rs. 50 crore under the Samridh Seema Yojana, special efforts will be made for the development of villages along the borders,” he added.
Under Smart City Mission, the LG said that 80 projects will be completed and Rs. 200 crore has been earmarked for this. Besides, he said that 100 electric buses each will ply on the roads of Jammu and Srinagar.
“9 major sewerage schemes at an estimated cost of Rs. 1131 crore are to be executed and Rs. 373 crore will be spent for the revival of Dal and Nagin lake.
Moreover, the balance portion of work on Tawi Barrage costing Rs. 73.34 crore is expected to be completed during 2022-23,” he added.
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