LG Sinha promises Govt’s efforts for full statehood, constitutional guarantees - Greater Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday promised government’s efforts for the restoration of full statehood and Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional guarantees.

He said that the restoration of full statehood to J&K would be befitting a reciprocation of faith reposed by people in the democratic institutions.

In his address to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the LG said, “The aspiration for a return to statehood remains strong. The Prime Minister, on several occasions, has already expressed his commitment to restoring statehood, which has been a source of rekindled hope and reassurance for the people. The Council of Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir recently passed a unanimous resolution calling for the immediate restoration of statehood. This resolution reflects the collective will of the elected representatives, echoing the aspirations of the people for the reinstatement of full democratic governance. My government will make all efforts to restore full statehood and make constitutional guarantees available to J&K. It would be a befitting reciprocation of the faith reposed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in our democratic institutions.”

Fulfilling Promises

LG Sinha said: “My government is fully committed to implementing the promises made to the people for further political empowerment and for creating an enabling environment for employment, sustainable development, social inclusiveness and expansion of the economy for enhancing the overall quality of life. It will work relentlessly on the three principles of economy, ecology, and equity that will shape our future. We commit ourselves to this balance for a better and brighter future for all.”

Restoring Democratic Governance

He said that the J&K Legislative Assembly elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a union territory, were critical in restoring democratic governance after a period of political uncertainty.

The LG said that the elections helped in the restoration of the house, which once again reflected the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K Growing at 7%

He said that J&K was growing at an annual growth rate of about 7 percent.

“My Government is committed to pushing this trajectory of growth and creating more avenues of employment through policy interventions and infrastructure development. My government will also work on various reforms to strengthen the fiscal position of J&K. Huge natural resources endowed in J&K will be sustainably developed without harming our ecosystem which will ensure the protection of these resources,” LG Sinha said.

Equitable Development

He said every section as well as every region of J&K would be treated equally and developed for ensuring inclusiveness and equity for balanced development, which would be a solemn and sacred commitment of the government.

Transparency and Accountability

“My government is committed to decision-making that will be marked with transparency and accountability for ensuring efficient and effective use of resources with justification,” the LG said. “Any inefficient use or misallocation of resources will be re-examined, and necessary course correction will be undertaken to ensure that the benefits of every penny are fully harnessed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Youth Employment

He said that the government would invest in building capacities of the youth for their gainful employment and would also foster their entrepreneurial capacities.

Fulfilling People’s Expectations

“The expectations of the people for improved living facilities like roads, public transportation, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, schools, healthcare facilities, healthy and congenial environment, and internet connectivity, which enable them to lead a happy life, will be fulfilled,” LG Sinha said.

Leveraging GoI Funds

He said the government would fully leverage funds from centrally-sponsored schemes like PMGSY and NABARD-funded programmes to realise the vision of connecting every habitation with a road.

“Implementation of major ongoing connectivity projects will be fast-tracked by facilitating acquisition of land, forest clearances, and removal of encroachments. On-going expressway, national highways, and ring road projects for Srinagar and Jammu cities will be speeded up for their early completion,” the LG said. “Work on the upgradation and consolidation of the Jammu-Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway will be expedited for its early completion.”

Train to Kashmir

He said rail connectivity to Kashmir would be a reality soon.

“It will be a turning point for economic development and prosperity,” LG Sinha said. “My government will also pursue implementation of projects for rail connectivity to important unconnected areas including the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, with the Government of India.”

Night Landing Facilities

He said that the night landing facilities at Srinagar and Jammu airports would further enhance connectivity and boost the tourism sector further.

Pursuing Rangarajan Committee Report with GoIThe LG said that the government would pursue the implementation of Rangarajan Committee Report that recommended a roadmap for creating jobs and enhancing economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.

Solarising Govt Buildings

He said that the government would solarise all government buildings with a tentative cumulative capacity of 300 MW.

“Under the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna, 84,000 households will be solarised initially,” LG Sinha said.

Drinking Water for All

He said that the government was committed to providing free, clean, and safe drinking water to all.

“To achieve this, 3256 water supply schemes at an estimated cost of over Rs 13,000 crore are under execution which will provide functional household tap connections to all the 19.27 lakh rural households. This will be completed by March 2025,” the LG said.

Tourism as Industry

He said that the government would ensure that benefits are extended to the Tourism Sector as an industry as the sector was generating income and job opportunities for the local population.

“The government will focus on enhancing the quality of tourist experience, and devise appropriate interventions to manage the tourist inflow. Concerted efforts will be made for accelerated development of new tourist destinations both in Kashmir as well as Jammu,” LG Sinha said.

Developing Industrial Units

He said that the J&K Industrial Policy, 2021-30 had been notified to encourage private investment and to boost the industrial sector.

“A new central sector package of Rs 28,400 crores is available for encouraging new investments. My Government will develop 46 new industrial estates with all the modern facilities to attract industries and enhance job opportunities,” the LG said.

Supporting Artisans

He said that the handloom and handicraft sector would be given impetus, including through e-commerce platforms, to increase production and exports.

“GI tagging of crafts will be promoted to provide them markets at the world level.  The government will continue supporting local artisans by providing them with better access to markets and credit to promote traditional crafts besides facilitating the marketing of local products through trade fairs, exhibitions, and online platforms,” LG Sinha said.

Improving Healthcare

He said that the healthcare facilities and services in rural areas, focusing on maternal and child health, would be further improved.

“Critical care blocks will be established in districts for strengthening of emergency services,” the LG said. “The government will focus on increasing MBBS, PG, and Nursing seats and will add new tertiary care services and advanced courses for strengthening the healthcare facilities at the tertiary level.”

He said that the government would focus on strengthening primary healthcare services for making available medical treatment and drugs at the grass root level.

“Preventive diagnosis and screening will be carried forward for timely diagnosis of the non-communicable diseases and their treatment. Universal health coverage will be carried forward with better services for the benefit of the common masses,” LG Sinha said.

WADA Promise

He promised to lead a War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by integrating law enforcement with community-based prevention and mental health services.

Educational Hub

The LG promised to transform J&K into an educational hub focusing on attracting investment and employment opportunities.

“The establishment of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu marks a significant milestone in the advancement of higher education in J&K,” he said. “The upcoming operationalisation of the Srinagar campus of IIM Jammu from its dedicated building will further enhance access to quality management education in the region.”

Smart Classrooms

LG Sinha said that the government would provide educational institutions with digital learning tools like smart classrooms.

“Basic infrastructure in the schools will be further strengthened and management of the schools will be strengthened through cluster management,” he said.

Tapping Youth Energy

“The government strives to create world-class sports infrastructure to promote sports activities and to tap the constructive and creative energy of the youth in sports optimally. The government will provide opportunities, facilities and counselling to increase the women’s participation in games,” the LG said.

Farmers’ Welfare

He said that the government was committed to promoting farmer’s welfare and enhancing their income.

“Implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), featuring 29 comprehensive projects spanning agriculture, horticulture, and livestock, will be accelerated,” LG Sinha said. “Through this programme, my government will create about 3 lakhs jobs and 19,000 additional enterprises.”

He said that to further support farmers, the government was establishing a network of 2000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs) across J&K.

Attractive Interest Subvention for Artisans and Weavers

The LG said that the artisans and weavers would be covered under a credit card scheme with an attractive interest subvention of 7 percent for a period of 5 years.

Improved Irrigation

He said that work on the Shahpur Kandi Dam Project was in full swing, and J&K was expected to get 1150 cusecs of water from the River Ravi.

“This initiative will be followed rigorously so that farmers benefit,” LG Sinha said.

Better Service Delivery

He said that 40 online urban services would be ensured and these would be integrated with a single window portal.

Better Traffic Management

The LG said that the ‘Intelligent Traffic Management System’ would be strengthened.

Improving Public Transport

He said that sustainable and eco-friendly public transport systems, including electric and water transport, would be promoted.

Strengthening Waste Management System

LG Sinha said that solid and liquid waste management systems would be strengthened to make J&K environment friendly and pollution free.

Conserving Lakes

He said that the conservation of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake would be taken up on priority.

Housing for Poor

The LG said that the government would ensure 100 percent convergence for making available PMAY-G houses with all basic amenities besides conducting 100 percent social audit of all PMAY-G housing units.

Expanding social assistance programmes

He said that the government would expand and strengthen the social assistance programmes for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, underprivileged, downtrodden, backward, and vulnerable sections of society and low-income families.

Women Empowerment

LG Sinha said women empowerment schemes would be further strengthened to secure education, health and nutrition, skill development and employability of the womenfolk to attain economic independence.

Empowering Marginalised Communities

He said that the government would take major initiatives for welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the areas of health, education, skill development, culture, literature, infrastructure development, and livelihoods besides granting forest rights to the tribal communities.

White Revolution

The LG said 302 villages would be developed under Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY), in J&K under which milk villages, mini sheep and goat farms, dairy units, and bee-keeping units would be established for ST beneficiaries to improve their living standard.

Developing Eco Parks

He said that various eco-parks and green patches would be developed in each urban local body.

“Infrastructure at wetlands like Gharana, Hokersar, and Shallabugh will also be developed for the promotion of eco-tourism,” LG Sinha said. “Wular Lake would be conserved and enhanced.”

Fast-track recruitment

He said that all the vacancies in the government sector would be identified and filled up on a fast-track basis.

“My government is committed to expediting the process of compassionate appointments as well,” the LG said.

Rehabilitating Kashmiri Migrants

He said that the government would make efforts to rehabilitate Kashmiri migrants back in Kashmir with dignity for which a safe and secure environment would be created.

“Work on transit accommodation projects for Kashmiri migrant employees will be speeded up for providing them suitable accommodation at designated places,” LG Sinha said.

Panchayat and ULB Polls

He said that the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) would be strengthened by conducting elections at all levels to ensure peoples’ participation in the decision-making.