Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Review of Jammu and Kashmir Development Projects
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India remains steadfastly committed to the vision of building a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. This was emphasized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a crucial high-level meeting he chaired on Saturday to review the progress of various development initiatives in the Union Territory.
Key Attendees and Progress Assessment
The significant gathering saw the participation of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with numerous other senior officials. Shah acknowledged that development projects in the Union Territory have achieved unprecedented progress, attributing this success to the continuous and dedicated efforts of the Modi government.
Strategic Focus Areas for Jammu and Kashmir's Growth
The Home Minister outlined several critical areas requiring focused attention to accelerate J&K's development trajectory. He stressed the urgent need to fully harness the region's hydropower potential, highlighting it as a cornerstone for sustainable energy and economic growth.
Welfare Scheme Saturation and Tourism Marketing
Shah called for special emphasis on achieving 100% saturation of all government welfare schemes, ensuring that the benefits of every project reach the intended beneficiaries without delay. Furthermore, he underlined the necessity for aggressive marketing of Jammu and Kashmir's tourist destinations to fully explore the region's immense tourism potential. The Union Home Minister assured that the Central Government would provide all possible assistance in plans to develop new tourist spots across the territory.
Investments in Sports and Dairy Sector Development
Recognizing the importance of youth engagement, Shah stressed the need to focus on developing robust sports infrastructure and establishing sports academies to connect the younger generation with the development process. He announced that concerted efforts would be made to secure an investment of Rs 200 crore specifically for this purpose.
In his additional capacity as the Union Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah also advocated for proactive steps to promote the dairy sector in Jammu and Kashmir through the National Dairy Development Board, aiming to boost rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity.
Fiscal Support and Long-Term Vision
Shah highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir has been included under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme for the first time in the financial year 2025-26. This inclusion enables access to 50-year interest-free loans for capital projects, with strengthened fiscal discipline expected to assist in stabilizing the Union Territory's fiscal deficit over time.
The Home Minister reiterated that India is steadily progressing towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, marking 100 years of Independence. He affirmed that the Government of India would continue to extend wholehearted support to Jammu and Kashmir to ensure it fully participates in and contributes to this national vision of a developed India.
