J&K Assembly Grants Approval : J&K Assembly Approves Funding for Multiple Departments

Jammu, March 15 (NationPress) The J&K Assembly has approved grants totaling Rs 7,050.86 lakh for the Mining Department, Rs 108,603.20 lakh for the Industries and Commerce Department, Rs 528,374.63 lakh for the Public Works Department, Rs 35,344.46 lakh for the Labour and Employment Department, and Rs 22,561.03 lakh for the Skill Development Department.

The grants received approval through a voice vote after an extensive debate within the assembly.

Wrapping up the discussion on the Demands for Grants, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stated that the Public Works Department is currently managing a vast road network of 40,000 km, focusing on delivering high-quality roads and ensuring connectivity to the most remote villages.

"By 2025-26, our objective is to achieve 4,000 km of road blacktopping through various initiatives like PMGSY, Cities & Towns, CRIF, and NABARD, significantly enhancing travel conditions for the residents of J&K," he mentioned.

The Deputy Chief Minister elaborated that funding for the department is sourced from three primary avenues: Centrally Sponsored Schemes such as PMGSY and CRIF, NABARD Loan Assistance, and UT Sector Funding for roads and bridges.

"Since the inception of PMGSY in 2001, we have successfully linked 2,132 out of 2,140 identified villages, laying down 17,585 km of roads and constructing 210 bridges at an investment of Rs 10,939 crore. The remaining work is expected to be finalized by 2025-26. Under PMGSY Phase II and III, 1,927 km of roads have been upgraded, and 9 bridges constructed, while 505 km of roads and 64 bridges are soon to be completed," he reported.

To enhance rural connectivity further, Choudhary noted that the Centre has authorized PMGSY-4 (2024-29), targeting the connection of habitations with a population exceeding 250, based on the 2011 Census.

This initiative includes special provisions for villages with tribal majorities and Aspirational Districts.

Moreover, he indicated that 1,098 projects have been approved under NABARD, with 213 projects already finished in 2024-25, marking the department's highest annual achievement to date.

To encourage business growth, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that the government has introduced 14 policies and schemes that offer financial support, tax incentives, and land for industrial development.

A significant initiative, the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) 2021, was launched with Rs 28,400 crore aimed at aiding industries to establish and expand. This scheme provides investment incentives, tax relief, and interest support, he noted, highlighting a positive response with 971 industrial units approved, leading to Rs 10,471 crore of investment and the creation of 51,897 jobs.

He emphasized that the industrial landscape in Jammu and Kashmir is primarily driven by small and medium enterprises, which are the largest employers in the region, with 7.10 lakh MSMEs in J&K, of which 4.47 lakh are registered on the Udyam Portal.

"Further support for MSMEs will aid in generating more local employment and stimulating the economy," he asserted.

In order to provide additional space for industries, the Deputy Chief Minister announced that the government is developing 46 new industrial estates alongside the existing 64, expected to be operational by March 2025.

He mentioned that land for 15,994 additional industrial plots has been earmarked for future development.

Regarding industrial investment, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that Rs 3,389 crore was invested in 2023-24, creating 1,46,317 jobs, a 57 percent rise from the previous year.

He added that in 2024-25, 381 new units commenced production, contributing Rs 3,887 crore in investment and generating 10,715 additional jobs.

The Deputy Chief Minister remarked that the handloom and handicrafts sector serves as the backbone of J&K’s economy, employing 4.22 lakh artisans who produce world-renowned items like Pashmina shawls, Kashmiri carpets, Basohli paintings, walnut wood carvings, and embroidery products.

"To safeguard and promote these crafts, the government has implemented QR code-based certification, enabling buyers to authenticate J&K’s handicrafts. Ten handicrafts, including Pashmina, Kani Shawls, and Sozni Embroidery, have received the esteemed Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Eight additional crafts are in the pipeline, while eleven new crafts are slated for registration in 2025-26," he disclosed.

To enhance governance in the mining sector, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that the introduction of an e-auction system has rendered the allocation of mining blocks more transparent and competitive.

Furthermore, procedural reforms under the Ease of Doing Business initiative have streamlined the process for securing mining leases and approvals, making it more accessible for businesses and entrepreneurs to engage in legal mining activities.

He also highlighted that environmental compliance remains a top priority, with stringent regulations established to mitigate mining's impact on forests, rivers, and biodiversity.

To combat illegal mining, the Deputy Chief Minister explained that the government has formed Multi-Departmental District-Level Task Force Cells, led by the respective Deputy Commissioners, with District SSPs as crucial members.

Additionally, penalties for illegal mining have been made more severe, with first-time offenders facing fines ten times the value of the illegally extracted mineral, alongside additional fines and royalties.

Choudhary remarked that the government is prioritizing unemployment, a significant issue due to the limited number of large industries in J&K.

"A new initiative, Mission Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (YUVA), is on the verge of launching to support young entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities," he stated.

"In the next financial year, we expect the creation of 27,400 new enterprises, generating 85,000 jobs," he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that the J&K Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board was established to safeguard the rights of construction workers, ensure their safety, and provide financial assistance for their welfare.

"A total of Rs 5,903.25 lakh has been disbursed among 70,323 beneficiaries under various welfare schemes," he noted.

He also stated that a significant achievement of the Skill Development Department is that 83 trade units, previously affiliated only with the State Council for Vocational Training, are now recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT).

This change enables 1,800 additional students to qualify for the National Trade Certificate (NTC), which is recognized worldwide. Currently, 50 out of 53 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in J&K are NCVT-affiliated, and over 9,000 ITI trainees have successfully transitioned to the Skill India Digital Hub Portal, he added.

To enhance job opportunities, placement drives were conducted at various polytechnics, leading to 15 companies visiting and 261 students receiving job offers.

The Deputy Chief Minister mentioned that the Government ITI Srinagar has been upgraded to a Model ITI, where existing trades have been modernized, and new trades such as Solar Technician (Electrical), Smartphone Technician cum App Tester, and IoT Technician (Smart City) have been introduced to meet evolving industry demands.

"Looking ahead, the Food Craft Institute Jammu is set to be upgraded to the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), enabling it to offer a three-year degree in Hotel and Hospitality Administration," he stated.

"A new initiative aimed at global employment opportunities is also being launched in partnership with NSDC International to provide specialized training for overseas jobs, while 3,000 women from Self-Help Groups will be trained in entrepreneurship to enhance their financial status," he concluded.