Stating that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved considerably, Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha today said in coming years the union territory will see elevated light metro rail in Srinagar and Jammu cities, 40,000 new houses for the houseless, new townships and housing colonies for economically weaker sections, and medi-cities in Jammu and Srinagar.
Lt Governor Sinha said Rs 400 crore will be provided for the construction of transit accommodations for Kashmiri migrant employees. He also said a total of 1,984 transit accommodations for Kashmiri pandits will be completed in 2023-24. The remaining posts of 355 out of 6,000 posts under the PM package for Kashmiri migrants will be filled and the cash assistance and food grains for Kashmiri and Jammu migrants will continue, adding that Rs 393 crore has been allocated for it.
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Sinha said J&K has witnessed economic growth of 14.64 per cent, while the tax revenue has shown a growth of 31 per cent. “The law and order situation has improved appreciably in J&K and the highest number of 1.88 crore tourists visited J&K,” he said while commenting on the UT’s budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament.
J&K has been among the top performers in the country for the implementation of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and other schemes, Sinha noted.
Laying out figures, he said nearly 50 lakh youth have participated in different sports activities this year. He highlighted that youths are playing, people are enjoying Shikara rides, and cinemas are running smoothly till late at night.
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He further said the highest-ever investment of Rs 1,547.87 crore was received during the last 10 months of this year. “500 startups have come up during last 3 years and road construction nearly doubled to 3200 kilometres against 1500-1600 km in 2018,” he added.
On the government receiving strong criticism for selecting a blacklisted company to conduct the recruitment process, Sinha said recruitments would be transparent and based on merit. “There was recruitment mafia in Jammu and Kashmir for past few decades and it has been ended and now they are frightened,” he said, alluding to the political leaders criticising the recruitment process. He added vacant posts will be filled on a fast-track basis and the government has a target to cover 3 lakh youth under various self-employment schemes in 2023-24.
Sinha highlighted that some people want to derail the recruitment process. He said during the Kashmir Administrative Services exams, the Public Service Commission announced the results after hours of the interview of the last candidate.
Sinha also noted that Jammu and Kashmir is the first among states and union territories to have a good governance index for assessing public service delivery at the district level.
He said 1,500 new panchayats have to be constructed, and 40,000 new houses for houseless families will be completed.
“75 new destinations, 75 sufi, religious sites, 75 new cultural, heritage sites and 75 new tracks are being developed for the economic gain of the tourism industry,” he added.
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He said the construction of police housing colonies for police personnel is a priority. “CCTV surveillance system will be completed in all police stations and police posts and installation of CCTV cameras with command and control system at public places,” he added.
