Srinagar: Crediting the successful assembly elections to all the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that the Union Territory has witnessed remarkable progress in various sectors of development ranging from infrastructure to social welfare, education reforms to healthcare advancements.
“The successful conduct of Assembly Elections underscores the positive change and this achievement is credited to all the citizens who participated in this democratic exercise, demonstrating their faith in our democratic values and future of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said in his message on the eve of 76th Republic Day of the country.
“The people now look to the Government with renewed expectations, aspiring for an environment that promotes meaningful employment, sustainable development, social inclusivity, and robust economic growth – paving the way for an enhanced quality of life for all. For further strengthening and ensuring peoples’ participation at a broader level, elections for Local Bodies will be conducted for establishing 3-Tier Governance structure,” he added.
Extending his greetings to every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir, the LG said that this day reminds us of the enduring values enshrined in the Constitution of India.
“ It is a day of pride, reflection, and reaffirmation of our commitment to democracy, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Let us honor our freedom fighters and martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice to protect and preserve our motherland,” he said.
I extend my deepest tribute to the valiant soldiers of the Indian Army, Para Military Forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, whose relentless dedication and sacrifices ensure the unity, integrity, and security of our nation. Beyond safeguarding our borders, they stand as pillars of peace and stability for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Their extraordinary valor and service inspire us to work towards a united, secure, and prosperous India,” he added.
On this momentous occasion, Sinha expressed his gratitude to every individual contributing to the progress of the Union Territory – farmers, artisans, teachers, healthcare workers, security forces, sportspersons and government officials. Your dedication and hard work are the cornerstone of our collective success. Jammu and Kashmir has always been a land of unity in diversity.
“We take immense pride in our composite culture and centuries-old traditions of brotherhood. It is our collective responsibility to maintain peace and harmony, ensuring that the dreams of our youth are not hindered by divisive forces. Our journey has been one of resilience and determination, marked by unparalleled achievements in every sphere. Jammu and Kashmir, with its rich heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant culture, has always been a vital part of this journey,” he added.
Asserting that good governance is the cornerstone for a prosperous and harmonious future and is pivotal to fostering peace, development, and inclusivity in the region, the LG said that by focusing on transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric policies, the government has prioritized empowering local communities through participatory decision-making and equitable resource distribution.
He said that initiatives like digital governance, streamlining public services, and promoting socio-economic programs aim to bridge developmental gaps and strengthen public trust.
“J&K has taken lead in making 1,166 online public services available on e-Unnat portal and 501 e-services have been integrated with Rapid Assessment System (RAS). 387 services are covered under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), and 104 Government services have been integrated with DigiLocker for enhanced document security and accessibility,” he said.
“J&K is targeting to achieve 100% compliance of reforms for ease of doing business. Jammu and Kashmir has created JK SAMADHAN platform, for online redressal of public grievances. About 300 grievances are processed per day. Another initiative launched by the Government, Raabta, is a landmark program aimed at fostering stronger connections between the government and the people,” he added.
He further said Jammu and Kashmir’s economy has recorded a growth rate of 9.5% which is driven by sustained government initiatives and strategic policy measures. GSDP of J&K is estimated at ₹2.45 lakh crore for 2023-24, up from ₹2,20 lakh crore in 2022-23.
The LG also mentioned about the remarkable strides made by the government in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation due to which the UT ranked 2nd among UTs in the SDG India Index 2023-24.
“Our Union Territory has witnessed remarkable progress in various sectors of development. From infrastructure development to social welfare, from education reforms to healthcare advancements, our administration has been relentless in its pursuit of growth and equity,” he said.
The LG also referred to significant strides been made in road connectivity. Work on Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch National Highway, Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri National Highway and Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Khellani-Kishtwar-Khanabal National Highway is under progress.
“Work on Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is under progress, which will reduce the distance between Delhi and Katra to 6 hours only. Srinagar and Jammu Ring Roads are in advanced stages of completion. Z-Morh tunnel has been completed and is being dedicated to the nation soon. Construction of Zojila tunnel is also under progress,” he said.
In a historic stride towards progress, Sinha said, the Railway is set to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the nation, heralding a new era of development, economic growth, and unity.
He also stated that J&K is witnessing rapid development in hydropower generation.
The LG in his message also referred to the progress achieved in agriculture, horticulture and other sectors.
“Jammu and Kashmir has made significant strides in industrial development, investment, and employment generation in recent years. New policies, including the J&K Export Policy, J&K Logistic Policy, and J&K Procurement Preferences Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), are under preparation to further boost economic growth,” he said.
He added that the Government of India launched a New Central Sector Scheme in 2021 with an outlay of ₹28,400 crore to boost industrial development in J&K. New Central Sector Scheme package which offers Capital Investment Incentive, Capital Interest Subvention and Working Capital Interest Subvention has encouraged the industrial investment in the UT.
“889 units have commenced groundwork out of which 324 industrial units are expected to begin production this year. 46 New Industrial Estates with all the modern facilities are being developed to attract industries and enhance job opportunities,” Sinha said.
He said that efforts are being made to promote ‘Brand J&K,’ focusing on products like pashmina, saffron, and other handicrafts. Emphasis shall be further laid on facilitating the Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of traditional products. 13 crafts are in advanced stage for GI registration during current financial year viz; Crewel, Chain Stitch, Namdha, Willow Bat, Gabba, Shikara, Tweed, Wagoo, Samba Calico Printing, Kishtwari Loi, Jammu Phulkari and Kishtwari Binna (Wheat Straw). Besides, 07 New Crafts are targeted to be registered namely Houseboat, Jammu Copper Ware, Jammu Dogri Suit, Jammu Brass Ware, Doda Bhaderwah Narsingha, Doda Dadli, Doda Wooden Racksack.
Speaking about the tourism potential of the Union Territory, LG said that J&K is an all-weather tourist destination, offering a diverse range of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.
“One of the most exciting milestones in our tourism journey was the successful launch of the first edition of the Kashmir Marathon, held on 20th October, 2024. With over 1800 runners from across the globe, the event has firmly placed Jammu & Kashmir on the map of international marathons,” he said.
“The participants included from a common man to Chief Minister of the UT. The tourism sector holds the potential to transform our entire economy, as it plays a pivotal role in generating employment and boosting local businesses. This year, J&K has witnessed a record-breaking 2.36 crore tourist visits till November, 2024. Gulmarg Gondola has witnessed 7.68 lakhs tourists and earned a revenue of Rs. 103 Crore during 2024,” he added.
Speaking about the war on terrorism, Sinha said that the Government of India is implementing a Whole of Government Approach to eliminate co-terror networks and drug syndicates, ensuring that future generations are freed from the vicious cycle of drug addiction.
For this purpose, he said, the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan have been implemented. To make J&K Nasha Mukt, various initiatives are being taken up through monitoring and counselling to combat drug menace which includes Aadhaar-based dispensing systems, enhance surveillance, and ensure strict enforcement to prevent misuse of medicinal preparations in coordination with NGOs & other stakeholders.
“Drug De-addiction infrastructure has been created in all 20 districts with availability of anti-drug treatment facilities. 377 Panchayats have been made Nasha Mukt. Drug awareness camps are being organized in villages, schools and colleges. Strict action is being taken against drug peddlers and contraband substances are being seized, FIRs registered and property of peddlers seized,” he said.
On the steps taken for the welfare of Kashmiri Pandits, Sinha said that for providing transit accommodation to Kashmiri Migrants employees, 6,000 flats have been sanctioned out of which 2,832 have been completed and 2,016 are at various stages of development. 33,636 displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Chhamb from the conflicts in 1947 and subsequent years have been provided financial assistance of Rs 1,452 crore. 3541 West Pakistani refugees have been allocated a financial support of Rs. 89 crore.
“The administration has also taken necessary steps for fast-track recruitment in government jobs. In the past four to five years, 40,000 appointments were made based on transparency and merit. The process for compassionate appointments has also been expedited. A total of 10,616 positions have been referred to JKPSC and JKSSB, out of which notifications for 7,376 positions have been issued. Examinations for 6,090 positions have already been conducted. This year, 1,116 cases under SRO-43 have been approved, while 150 cases are under review,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, Sinha urged the people to pledge to work together for a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. Our focus, he said, remains on sustainable development, fostering innovation, and empowering every citizen to realize their potential.
“The essence of democracy lies in the participation of its people, and your involvement is vital in shaping a brighter tomorrow,” he added.
