All Indian politicians are panautis and pickpockets. They only seek power and pelf, and have no genuine love for the people’s welfare. They are mostly selfish rogues, rascals, looters, deceivers, and mafia type bandits, who have taken India to the verge of ruin.
In fact the worst panauti in our country is our parliamentary democracy and electoral politics, which runs largely on the basis of caste and religious vote banks ( as everyone knows ). Casteism and communalism are feudal forces, which have to be destroyed if India is to progress, but Parliamentary Democracy further entrenches them, as it largely runs on that basis.
Is Rahul Gandhi any less a panauti, a man who has only his arrogance of belonging to India’s ‘royal family’, but has nothing in his head about how to solve India’s huge problems of massive poverty, record and rising unemployment, appalling level of child malnourishment ( every second child in the country is malnourished, according to Global Hunger Index ), and almost total lack of proper healthcare and good education for the masses ? And are any other of our politicians, who only have expertise in polarising the people, and spreading caste and communal hatred, any different ? They no doubt make a lot of tall promises to the people before elections, only to be forgotten once the elections are over.
Parliamentary elections of 2024 are fast approaching, and the BJP will no doubt step up religious polarisation. But our ‘secular’ parties will not be left far behind.
Nitish Kumar, who like the French politician Talleyrand kept changing sides, depending on which way the political wind was blowing, has played his gambit of the caste census, with an eye on the backward votes, and many of the other ‘secular’ parties have supported the move.
Owaisi is just the counterpart of the BJP, playing the Muslim card.
So what is the way out of this predicament for the Indian people ? I have explained in the articles below that the only way out is by waging a mighty, historical, united people’s struggle, rising above caste and religion, led by modern minded leaders, who are determined to create an alternative political and social system under which there is rapid industrialisation and modernisation, and all Indians get a high standard of living and decent lives.
The 14th Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was born in the tiny village of Vadnagar in the western state of Gujarat on September 17, 1950. His rise from a young age spent selling tea to the highest office in the land is evidence of his tenacity and leadership skills. The journey that brought Narendra Modi to the fore of Indian politics is examined in this essay, along with his modest beginnings.
Chief Minister of Gujarat: A Catalyst for Progress
Narendra Modi held the position of Gujarat’s Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014 before becoming the country’s prime minister. He carried out a number of development projects throughout his administration, and was praised for turning Gujarat into an economic powerhouse. His pro-business initiatives, emphasis on infrastructure, and effective leadership played a key role in luring investments and promoting economic development in the state.
The Modi Wave: Sweeping Victory in the 2014 General Elections
In the general elections of 2014, Narendra Modi guided the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a historic victory. Riding the “Modi wave” of public popularity, the party won an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower chamber of parliament. This section analyzes the elements that led to Modi’s resounding victory and the lofty standards that were set for him as Prime Minister.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A Clean India Mission
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), one of Narendra Modi’s signature programs, sought to make India a cleaner and healthier place by encouraging sanitation and hygiene. The 2014 campaign’s goals included eradicating open defecation, enhancing trash disposal, and increasing public awareness of the value of cleanliness. This section of the article explores the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’s effects on India’s sanitation system.
Digital India: Empowering India through Technology
In order to close the digital gap and make digital services available to all residents, Narendra Modi created the Digital India program after realizing the revolutionary potential of technology. The campaign’s main objectives were to increase internet access, advance e-governance, and promote the use of digital platforms for a range of services. This section focuses on the advancements made by the Digital India program and how it helped modernize the Indian economy.
On 27th June this year Prime Minister Modi accused Sharad Pawar’s NCP as being involved in various scams of Rs 70,000 crores e.g. Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam, Irrigation scam, illegal mining scam, etc
Yet just 5 days later on 2nd July a section of the NCP, led by Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar, joined the BJP which is in power in Maharashtra. These defectors were promptly rewarded, Ajit Pawar being made a Deputy CM, and others being made Ministers.
It is interesting to note that corruption charges had been levied against many of these defectors by the Enforcement Directorate of India, but these tainted defectors have now become Ministers ! Their cases will now obviously be put into the cold storage.
Defection is nothing new in Indian politics. In 1967 Chaudhury Charan Singh defected 3 times in 3 days. In 1980 Bhajan Lal defected to Congress with almost all his MLAs. The list of ‘Aya Rams Gaya Rams’ in India is very long.
But this latest defection takes the cake. In 5 days the defectors have been transformed from heavily corruption tainted figures ( as described by the Prime Minister ) to snow white clean saints.
Indian politics reminds me of the Mad Hatter’s tea party in Alice in Wonderland !
Despite three prominent absentees’, the G20 Youth Summit in Ladakh was an impressive success, reports Raashid Andrabi
Some participants of the Y20, a G20 summit activity, in Leh on April 26, 2023
The Sino-Indian standoff has kept the world’s attention diverted towards Ladakh heights for the last two years. Now, the arid desert is in the news again, this time for playing host to around 100 delegates from 30 countries for the Y20 Pre-Summit, a precursor to the G20 Summit.
Ladakh already a preferred tourist destination for Western tourists ensured that the global event be celebrated to promote the brand Shangri La. The event kicked off with a grand flourish. The delegates descended upon the serene Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra Auditorium, transforming it into a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and aspirations. The air was abuzz with contagious energy as the guests were welcomed with traditional Ladakhi hospitality.
Soon, the guests were driven away on local excursions that left them spellbound. The pristine and spiritual monasteries of Hemis and Thiksey offered them a glimpse of Ladakh’s serene and mystic beauty. They also spent time at Sidhu Zanskar Sangam, Pather Sahab Gurdwara and Shanti Stupa.
Participants
Official sources said a total of 103 delegates attended the two-day event. As many as 68 delegates came from 17 members of the G20. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and China skipped participation.
There were 18 delegates from G20 Guest countries – five from Nigeria, four from Oman, five from Singapore and four from Spain. The global institutions that were invited and participated in the event and sent 17 participants included the ASEAN, Morocco, OECD, PAYU, UN and WHO.
Even though Turkey and Saudi Arabia skipped the event, various OIC members did attend the event. These included Indonesia – a permanent G20 member; Oman and Nigeria (G20 Guest countries) and Morocco, a special invitee.
Objective
The Y20 Pre-Summit aims to bring together leading experts, decision-makers, and youth leaders from G20 countries to discuss and formulate actionable plans for the growth and development of the people. The summit aims to address pressing issues facing young people today, including democracy, governance, innovation, climate change, disaster risk reduction, peacebuilding and reconciliation, health, well-being, and sports.
This event was the first major global event held in Ladakh since the region became a Union Territory, and it is significant in light of the ongoing political turmoil and protests that followed the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A, which reserved special rights over land and jobs for locals.
The session was inaugurated by the Lt Governor of Ladakh, Brig BD Mishra (Retd), and graced by several dignitaries including TashiGyalson, Chief Executive Councillor, and JamyangTsering Namgyal, Member of Parliament, Ladakh.
Brig Mishra (Retd) set the stage with his speech about the potential of the youth of India and the great honour of hosting the delegates at the highest meeting point of India at 11,000 feet above sea level. He emphasized India’s famous philosophy of Athithi Devo Bhava(Guest is God) and assured the guests that they would be treated with the utmost respect and hospitality during their stay in Ladakh. The LG also spoke about the vision of G20 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted the intelligence, commitment, and focus of the Indian youth. In fact, the event saw the launch of [email protected], a book.
Pointing out that no other G20 member had organized a programme of this magnitude, Mishra referred to the delegates as ambassadors who would spread the word about India’s accomplishments when they returned home. To Mishra, G20 has become a household name in India.
In a vibrant display of Ladakhi culture, the LG Mishra cut the ribbon and inaugurated the much-anticipated Ladakh Haat stalls at the Y20 Pre-Summit in the scenic town of Leh. Over 40 skilled artisans from different corners of Ladakh have gathered here to showcase their exquisite handlooms, handicrafts, and processed food products, all steeped in the region’s rich heritage. The event showcased the culture, food, and traditions of Ladakh to familiarise the guest delegates with the unique lifestyle of the region. Things at display included a glimpse of the mountainous landscapes of Ladakh, Anganwadi or courtyard shelter for toddlers, handicrafts and handlooms by SHGs comprised of Ladakhi women, Pashmina wool, wood carving, apricots as a part of the horticulture heritage of Ladakh, sea buckthorn, and winter sports activities like ice climbing, ice skating, skiing, and frozen lake marathon.
Asserting that G20 under India’s Presidency has set new milestones, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur told media that there was a consensus on the five themes of the Y20 summit among the participating countries and international organizations and important suggestions have come on the future challenges including reskilling and Upskilling. The five themes included Youth in Democracy and Governance; Future of Work: Industry 4.0; Innovation and 21st Century Skills; Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a Way of Life; Peace Building and Reconciliation: Ushering in an Era of No War and Health, Wellbeing and Sports: Agenda for Youth. The minister interacted with the delegates in Yuva Samvaad. Without naming any country, the Union minister for youth affairs and sports said those who tried to “spread fear and confusion” would now be feeling the “pain” due to the “roaring success” of the three-day event.
The event which started with yoga sessions in the mornings, concluded with the recording of two short videos on Azadi Ki Amrit Kahaniyan.
SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the marathon organised by Hindustan Scouts and Guides, Dogra Kranti Dal and Kashmir Road Safety Foundation on the eve of 100th episode of PM Narendra Modi’s monologue ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
100 marathons were organised today across JK to celebrate 100th episode of PM Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat radio programme, and raise awareness and strengthen action and cooperation against drug abuse and drug trafficking.
The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inspiring the youth of the country through Mann Ki Baat to overcome challenges and set the ambitious goal in life. Prime Minister has brought together youth from different backgrounds with a single dream of nation building, he added.
“India’s greatest strength is its unity in diversity. Through Mann Ki Baat programme Prime Minister has inspired the people to take pride in their heritage and acknowledged remarkable contribution of scientists, teachers, litterateurs, artistes in raising India’s stature in the world,” Sinha said.
Addressing the youth on the occasion, the Lt Governor said, people from different walks of life have joined the fight against drug menace.
“Today, the youth of Jammu Kashmir have stood up against drug abuse. I am confident that our collective efforts will eliminate the narco-terrorism unleashed by neighboring country and lead the way for realising the goals of building a drug free Jammu Kashmir, observed the Lt Governor.
Remains of the ill-fated army truck that went up in flames after suspected militants attacked it in Bhata Dhurian area in Mendhar (Poonch) on April 20, 2023. Six soldiers were killed and one survived injured.
In anticipation of preparations for the G20 meeting in Kashmir, suspected militants targeted an army vehicle killing five of the six soldiers. The surviving soldier is battling for his life in the hospital. The attack occurred at Bhatta Durrian (Mendhar), where four soldiers were killed in a gun battle with the militants in October 2021. Army statement said militants hiding behind bushes and a cluster of trees opened firing on the Army truck moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch at Bhatta Durrian on April 20, 2023, at 3 pm taking advantage of rains and thunderstorms. While one militant used grenades to stop the truck, another opened calibrated fire towards its fuel tank, triggering a massive blaze as yet another militant opened fire at onboard soldiers. Four of five Rashtriya Rifles soldiers are from Punjab.
In order to hunt down the assailants, authorities have suspended civil traffic in the Bata-Doriya area. An NIA team is visiting the area for investigations.
How will the attack impact the cold relations between India and Pakistan remains to be seen. Interestingly, Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to lead a delegation to India for a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on May 5 that Goa hosts. It would be the first visit by any Pakistani Foreign Minister since Hina Rabbani Khar’s in 2011.
LG Manoj Sinha says Kashmir will produce Mustard oil worth Rs 800 crore in 2023.
PUNJAB
State Investigation Agency
In a first of its kind, Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) has attached a Punjab resident’s property for “his links with militants”. Identified as Amarbhir Singh of Baba Darshan Singh Enclave at Ram Tirath Mahal in Amritsar, he is living in Dubai but is wanted in many cases in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The SIA seizure with the help of Punjab Police was in a case of recovery of Rs 15 lakh hawala money at Nagrota from two alleged JeM associates Parvez and Farooq, who were arrested in 2021. This is the first action taken by the SIA outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Formally opened on November 4, 2022, the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) has received 10000 calls from people in distress. Women callers constitute 70 per cent.
SRINAGAR
High Court of Jammu and Kashmir
The High Court has quashed a series of detention orders under the Public Safety Act, including the one against journalist Fahad Shah. In the case of Srinagar resident Peerzada Mohammed Waseem, the court said the prosecution accused him of rioting and stone pelting in 2020 when the person was in jail since 2017. “How can a detenue already in jail and facing trial participate in rioting and stone pelting during that intervening period?” Judge Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal asked.
Wildlife officials said the direct sightings during the biennial census reveal improved numbers of Hangul within Dachigam National Park. In 2021, 261 Hangul were counted.
KASHMIR
Ramzan 2023 was the most peaceful month of fasting in the last more than three decades. In Kashmir, there were no killings of militants or by militants. There was one encounter but the militants managed to flee. In Ramzan 2022, 19 militants, two civilians and two security personnel forces also lost their lives in militant violence. More than 20 militants were killed in Ramzan 2021.
Peace, however, did not help markets that remained struggling to earn. The inclement weather added to their crisis. Even though the month of fasting was extended to 30 days, the last days did not help the market revive. Lal Chowk remained deserted unlike in the past and part of the credit goes to the ongoing smart city works.
However, Ramzan 2023 would be remembered for the mess that Kashmir’s so-called grand Mufti, Nasirul Islam landed in. He was in a controversy at the beginning of the month when he declared that his “moon-sighting committee” could not locate the Ramzan crescent. People defied his claim and started fasting as Shia ulema had moon-sighting evidence. On April 19, a brief recording came on social media in which he was saying that his committee could not locate the crescent of Shawaal month on April 20, so Eid is being celebrated on Saturday, This triggered a serious controversy leading Nasir to send a formal request to Jammu and Kashmir Police to investigate the issue. He said he had been recorded for Doordarshan in advance. DD insider confirmed it saying this is the tradition. “We keep two versions recorded and then run the one that he permits at the appropriate time,” an insider said. The question, however, remains – how can anybody record something in advance when he or she lacks knowledge of it? On the flip side of it, police have investigated the issue and have answers. Will they ever reveal? Wait.
Against Rs 217.43 crore, the Government generated Rs 260.94 crore with the e-auction of 257 retail liquor vends for the year 2023-24. Some more vends are auctioned soon.
KISHTWAR
A youth was killed and his brother survived injured in a mysterious blast in their own kitchen at Chitran village in Kishtwar’s Simbol area. The dead young man was identified as Shabir Ahmad, 20, and the one struggling to survive as Mohammad Yaseen, 18. Gucchi mushroom hunters, the two brothers had located something in the hospital and were heating it when it exploded. In another interesting incident, Ghulam Hassan, an ex-serviceman, from Angloe area opened fire on his wife, Rubeena, and Yasmeena, his minor daughter and rendered them injured. He used a 12-bore rifle. He lost his cool when his wife and daughter pleaded with the drunkard not to have liquor. Now, he is being tried for an attempt to murder.
Kashmir’s mutton requirements are expected to go up post-Eid from the prevailing 35 truckloads of sheep a day to 160.
DELHI
Jammu and Kashmir’s erstwhile foot-in-mouth governor, Satya Pal Malik has landed in yet another controversy for accusing Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and NSA, Ajit Doval, of making him silent on February 2019 Pulwama attack. The tragedy pushed India and Pakistan to the brink of a war in which the US had to intervene.
“CRPF personnel had requested aircraft to transport their personnel because such a large convoy does not normally travel by road. They had made the request to the Home Ministry, then held by Rajnath Singh, who refused. If they had asked me, I would have provided the aircraft. They had requested five aircraft,” Malik told Karan Thapar. “I told the Prime Minister the same evening (after the incident) that it happened due to our mistake. If we had provided them with aircraft, it could have been averted. He (PM) told me, ‘You keep quiet for the time being.’ I had already told one or two TV channels about it. He (PM) said, ‘Don’t talk about it. This is something else…’. Ajit Doval (NSA) also told me the same thing, ‘Satpalbhai (brother), you don’t talk about it. Please stay silent on this’.” Malik said, it took him a bit of time to realize “that the blame will now be shifted towards Pakistan, so I better keep quiet.”
Though Malik made several claims and told some very interesting stories about the politics in Delhi, it was the Pulwama attack that people have focused on. Congress is seeking a white paper on the Pulwama attack that killed nearly 40 CRPF personnel, days ahead of the national election. “Satya Pal Malik has brought out the explosive satya (‘truth’) which is more explosive than the Pulwama explosion itself…but this is nothing new. People were aware at the time that some Indo-Pakistan incident would be manufactured for political gain. Was the terror attack staged with the aim of winning elections?” Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanhjay Rauat has said. “Was there a plot to get 40 jawans killed for political gain? We [Opposition] had repeatedly tried to ask such questions at the time but were silenced by the ruling party and branded as ‘traitors’.”
The anti-climax of the controversy is that even Pakistan is using Malik’s statement. “His [Malik’s] disclosures demonstrate how the Indian leadership has habitually used the bogey of terrorism from Pakistan to advance its sham victimhood narrative and the Hindutva agenda, clearly for domestic political gains,” a statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
Nearly four lakh people have visited Tulip Garden in the last month.
KATHUA
Kathua
An embarrassed Jammu and Kashmir government had no option but to admit that little Seerat Naaz’s video clip about the condition of the government high school in Lohai-Malhar is “not far from truth”. Naaz addressed the Prime Minister in the 5-minute video that she shot and commented on. After introducing herself as a student of the particular school, she goes on a virtual tour of her school. “Modi-ji, mujhe na aap se ek baat kehni hain (Modi-ji, there is something I need to tell you.)” Seerat then pans the phone camera towards an uncovered concrete surface, right in front of two closed doors which she identifies as the “principal’s office and the staff room” and comments: “Dekho humara farsh kitna ganda ho chuka hain. Humein yahan niche bithate hain (Look how dirty the floor is. They make us sit here).”
“Chalo mein aap ko bari si building dikhati hoon aapne school ki (let me show you the big building where our school is),” she goes on, “Yeh dekho, pichle 5 saalon se, dekho kitni gandi building hain yahan pe. Chalo mein aap ko andar se dikhati hoon (Look how unclean the building has been for the last 5 years. Let me take you on a tour of the inside of the building)”.
It was againt this backdrop, she makes a reqiest: “Please, aap se na request karti hoon, aap na achha sa school bana do. Humein niche baithna parta hain aur hamari uniform gandi ho jati hain aur phir humein Mamma marti hain. Humare pas bench bhi nahin hain (I request you to build us a nice school. We have to sit on the floor because of which our uniforms get dirty. My mother often scolds me for this. We don’t even have benches to sit on).” She adds: “Please Modi-ji, mein aap se request karti hoon ki achha sa bana de yeh school. Meri bhi baat sun lo (Please Modi-ji, I am requesting you to make my school better. Please grant my wish)”. She even films the toilet: “Dekho, humara kitna ganda toilet aur tut gaya hain (Look how filthy and broken our toilet is).” She then directs her lens towards a pit where the students go to relieve themselves. “Humein iss naali mein jana parta hain (We need to head to this pit to relieve ourselves.)”
The Government will now offer an ex-gratia relief of Rs 25 lakh (Rs 20 lakh out of UT Budget and Rs 5 lakh out of SRE) to the families of personnel who die in the line of duty and are from Jammu and Kashmir.
SRINAGAR: Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Jammu and Kashmir budget in the Lok Sabha on March 13, 2023. It was her fourth consecutive budget estimate that she presented in the parliament after Jammu and Kashmir was sliced into two federally governed Union Territories.
Here is the full text of the speech Ms Sitharaman made:
Nirmala Sitharaman
Mr Speaker Sir,
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed unprecedented level of development in various sectors since historic changes in August 2019. The people of Jammu and Kashmir not only welcomed but have embraced these changes with open heart. The law and order situation has improved appreciably. Pace of development in all critical sectors such as power, tourism, road connectivity, urban sector, health, sports, water and rural development etc., is remarkable.
Jammu and Kashmir has entered the Amrit Kaal with the aim of a fear-free, corruption-free, drug-free and employment-rich Jammu and Kashmir inspired by Panch Pran i.e Goal of developed India, Remove any trace of colonial mindset, Take pride in our roots, Unity and Sense of duty among the citizens.
The Jammu and Kashmir has been among top performers in the country for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Amrit Sarovar, SVAMITVA Scheme, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Nasha Mukt Abhiyan and Renewable Energy Development. Besides, Jammu and Kashmir is among top performers in Agriculture Income, Ease of Living, Ease of Doing Business, Transparency, Sustainable Development Goals and One Nation One Ration Card.
Jammu and Kashmir leads the nation under various health parameters like Neo-natal Mortality Rate, Infant Mortality Rate, Sex ratio at birth, Institutional births and percentage of fully immunized children.
Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent saturation in schemes like Saubhagya, Ujjwala, Ujala, Old Age/Widow and Disability Pension Scheme, SC/ST/Minority, Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes, Poshan Tracker, Poshan Vatikas, Prime Minister’s Matru Vandana Yojana, Kisan Credit Card Scheme, Swachh Bharat Mission, Drinking Water, Play field and Youth Clubs, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Soil Health Card and Public Distribution System. Besides, under JJM, 99.94 per cent population has been provided with piped water and 57.84 per cent individual households have tap connections. Under LPG-DBT (PAHAL) 31.77 lakh beneficiaries have been covered. Milk production has reached highest ever 2594 Thousand Metric Tons.
Under the initiative My Youth My Pride, Har Din Khel Har Ek Kay Liye Khel nearly 50 lakh youth have participated in different sports activities. National events in the disciplines of chess, rowing, table tennis, pencaksilat, wushu, volleyball and badminton have been conducted in Jammu and Kashmir wherein athletes from all over the country participated. National winter games under Khelo India have been hosted at Gulmarg in which athletes from across the country participated with great fervour.
Transforming Governance
a) Jammu & Kashmir Government has made concerted efforts to introduce multitude of reforms like establishment of grassroot level democracy, creation of knowledge society and expansion of digital and physical connectivity.
b) More than 445 services are now being provided in online mode in Jammu and Kashmir. Offline services have been completely stopped thus ushering a new digital era in Jammu and Kashmir. e-UNNAT Portal has been developed which is the single platform portal to make all government services available for the citizens. Rapid Assessment System (RAS) enabling real time feedback on quality of service delivery has been developed and 225 e-Services have been integrated through this system. The system provides direct feedback from people and nearly 85 per cent respondents rated the services as good and 7 per cent as satisfactory. One of the appreciable step taken by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is that all the online services are now being linked with Public Service Guarantee Act, bringing in huge transparency and accountability. The Jammu and Kashmir Government is promoting the idea of digital Jammu and Kashmir for “Ease of Living”. Transparency, accountability and timeliness have become hallmark of governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
c) The exceptional level of transparency and accountability in execution of development works is amplified through facts such as no work is being allotted without e-tendering, Administrative Approval and Technical Sanction. No payment is made without geo-tagged photographs uploaded through Photographic Record of On-site Facility (PROOF) mobile application and 100% physical verification of works. To ensure citizen participation, all the developmental works are put in public domain on real-time basis on the EMPOWERMENT/ JANBHAGIDARI portal. More than 78,811 works are being reflected on the portal for public viewing. Anyone can access these from anywhere anytime on a mobile.
d) Land records have been completely digitized and made available on Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani portal in the shape of scanned data of Jamabandi, Girdawari, Mutation and Mussavi of all the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir for free access to the citizens. More than 8 crore documents of land records have been scanned and hosted on Aap ki Zameen Aap Ki Nigrani portal. Trilingual Land passbooks in Urdu, Hindi and English are being issued to landholders. Around 30 Lakh pass books have been issued and 67 lakh persons have visited the site. As a major step, change of land use has been brought under the purview of Public Service Guarantee Act. Jammu and Kashmir has become first Union Territory to distribute property cards in Abadi Deh areas under SVAMITVA scheme.
e) The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is the first among States/Union Territories to have District Good Governance Index for assessing the public service delivery at district level. Two reports have been brought out so far.
f) Two new unique initiatives Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme with an objective to provide financial assistance of Rs 10.00 Lakh to selected 285 Panchayats (one Panchayat per Block) for their holistic development and “Aspirational Towns Development Programme” for holistic development of selected Aspirational Towns has been launched during 2022-23. A Panchayat Development Index and Town Development Index have also been developed to measure the progress.
g) As a part of Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme, the fourth phase of “Back to Village” (B2V4) programme was conducted across the Union territory from 15th of October to 3rd of November, 2022. During the fourth phase of Back to Village programme, 4290 officers visited the designated Panchayats as Prabhari Officers with the core objectives of energizing Panchayati Raj Institutions and inculcating the efficiency in delivery mechanism related to various government schemes. More than 8.20 lakh people participated in B2V4 programme. 5914 Kisan Credit Cards were issued during Jan Abhiyan of B2V4, with total of 12,84,058 KCCs issued so far. 37,930 persons were covered under self-employment drive in the Panchayats, 100 per cent data of Ration Card Holders on e-PDS portal have been shifted to Ration Card Management System portal; 95,959 golden cards were issued covering 49526 new families; 3,573 water quality field testing kits were distributed in the Panchayats; 75,759 e-challan have been issued by Mining Department, 8.89 lakh persons accessed Apki Zamin Apki Nigrani Portal and 7.04 lakh land passbooks were issued by the Revenue Department.
h) As a part of Aspirational Town Development Programme, 100 officers visited the Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Corporations/ Municipal Councils/Municipal Committees) during the 2nd phase of My Town My Pride 2.0 Programme. The major focus was on the municipal finances and preparation of city specific plans to enable our towns and cities embark upon the journey of becoming Aspirational Towns. 4.49 Lakh people participated in this programme. 1,33,524 households were covered for door to door awareness drive under ban on single use plastic, 2,740 Street vendor licenses were issued and 5,002 individuals were covered under self-employment drive in the Urban Local Bodies. 38,973 golden cards were issued, 508 city plans were prepared; 53,923 Land Passbooks were issued and 2,649 inheritance mutation were done.
i) As a part of outreach programme, 34 Hon’ble Union Minister’s from various Ministries of Government of India visited in 17 districts of Jammu and Kashmir in 2022 for public interaction and gathering grass-root level feed-back on government policies. Interactions were held with representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, other important stakeholders from trade, industry etc; which is expected to improve governance and implementation of various developmental schemes and initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir.
j) Aspirational Block Development Programme has also been initiated for upliftment of backward blocks and Rs 44 crore with Rs 1 crore per block have been provided
k) Jammu and Kashmir is 1st amongst Union territories to fully implement e-office in 300+ offices with highest 97 % disposal rate. The practice of Darbar Move has ended.
l) e-GRAS has been launched to facilitate payment of taxes and user charges electronically without visiting to the treasuries and banks. The portals of revenue collecting departments are in the process of integration with e-GRAS system.
m) Jammu and Kashmir is the first Union Territory to launch online e- Audit Application for conduct of statutory audit of departments. The e-Audit Portal is an integrated single platform tool for access of financial information of departments through BEAMS/JKPAYSYS on real time basis.
n) Government of Jammu and Kashmir has introduced E-HRMS, a unified dashboard, wherein vital service related details like appointment, postings, promotions, monthly salary slips, income tax deductions and provident fund can be accessed. More than 3.65 lakh employees have been registered on this portal which has improved transparency in maintaining the service records of the employees. An online portal for filing the Property Return Statement for employees has been developed. Around 3.50 lakh employees have filed their property returns through this online portal.
o) Social Security schemes and other flagship beneficiary schemes will be saturated for Kashmiri Migrants under special Lieutenant Governor’s Camps. Under Jan Abhiyan such special Lieutenant Governor’s camps are being held at different locations for enrolment of Kashmiri Migrants under various beneficiary oriented schemes. Further providing of security to Kashmiri Migrant Employees is the prime concern of the Government and to address the same, all the migrant employees have been suitability posted at secured places.
Accelerating Development
(a) Against 9229 works/projects under various sectors/ schemes completed in 2018-19, 12637 works / projects were completed in 2019-20. 21943 works/projects have been completed in 2020-21. During the financial year 2021-22; 50,627 works/ projects under different sectors/ schemes have been completed. This shows that the pace of development has increased manifolds and during current financial year 2022-23 around 70,000 works/projects are likely to be completed.
(b) The pace of execution of projects under Prime Ministers Development Package (PMDP) has been accelerated. Expenditure has reached to Rs 39133 crore. 29 Projects have been completed / substantially completed and another 03 projects are likely to be completed by end of the current financial year.
(c) Government of Jammu and Kashmir is taking concerted efforts to accelerate the pace of development. The road connectivity is extremely essential for the development of any region. I must inform this August House that till the year 2018, on an average, 1500 to 1600 Km of road length used to be constructed each year in Jammu & Kashmir. The same has now more than doubled to 3200 kilometres. Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is macadamizing more than 12 Km road length every day. Jammu and Kashmir is marching ahead with its ambition of road to every village.
(d) 8.45 Km Qazigund-Banihal Tunnel at a cost of Rs 3,117 crore has been completed, which has now reduced travel time between Srinagar and Jammu from 10 hours to 5 hours.
(e) Kashmir is likely to be connected to rest of the country through rail network by the end of the year 2023.
(f) Road infrastructure by way of construction of mega highways and tunnel projects is in progress. A number of highway projects are presently under execution. Work on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is being completed in next 2-3 years bringing much respite for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
(g) The work on 6.5 Km Z-Morh Tunnel on Srinagar- Sonamarg Road is going on at the brisk pace and will be completed during the current financial year at a cost of Rs. 2,378 crore, which will provide an opportunity for tourists to visit the beautiful place of Sonamarg in winter as well.
(h) The construction of 135 Km stretch of six-lane Delhi-Amritsar Katra Expressway falling in Jammu & Kashmir has commenced. This will reduce the travel time to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine to 6 hours only.
(i) Construction of 14.15 km two-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel with 14.20 km parallel escape tunnel is in progress.
(j) Construction of 4 tunnels (4.85 Km) on Akhnoor-Poonch section of NH 144A is in progress.
(k) Construction of double laning of 35.38 Km on Akhnoor-Poonch road (NH-144A) is in progress.
(l) The expansion of Jammu and Srinagar Airports is under progress.
(m) Construction work of AIIMS at Vijaypur, Jammu and AIIMS at Awantipora, Kashmir is proceeding at a fast pace.
(n) 07 New Government Medical Colleges are being established and 15 Nursing Colleges will be made operational.
(o) Two State Cancer Institutes will be made fully functional. Rs 881 crore are being spent on rebuilding/upgrading of 140 health institutions to be completed during this year.
(p) Intake capacity of MBBS has increased from 500 to 1100 seats and PG seats from 513 to 593.
(q) Under Jammu & Kashmir “SEHAT” health insurance scheme, in convergence with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the registration of beneficiaries has reached to 83.97 percent.
(r) Power Generation capacity will be doubled in 3 years. In last 2 years alone, projects of more than 3000 MW capacity have been revived and put on track. Work on 1000 MW Pakal Dul and 624 MW Kiru is in full swing. 850 MW Ratle has been awarded. Pre- construction activities have been initiated for 1856 MW Sawalkote project by NHPC.
(s) Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu is functioning from its own campus and Indian Institute of Management, Jammu to move to its campus this year.
(t) 213 projects with a financial assistance of 250 Million USD from World Bank were under taken by Jehlum Tawi Flood Recovery Project Organization. 159 projects have been already completed and 54 projects are in the advanced stage of execution.
(u) Under initiative of “Har Gaon Ek Amrit Sarovar” 4041 Amrit Sarovars have been identified, out of which 2420 have been completed and remaining will be completed before 15th of August 2023.
(v) In preparation for G20 summit meetings, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir will undertake development of key infrastructure projects under road, urban and tourism sectors.
(w) A special programme is being launched during 2023-24 for implementation of all components of action plan of two National Conferences of Chief Secretaries.
Industrial Development
(a) The focus of the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30 is to attract new investment, creation of employment opportunities for youth, development of backward regions and nurturing of existing industrial units. As a first step, Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30, Jammu and Kashmir Private Industrial Estate Development Policy 2021-30, Jammu and Kashmir Wool Processing, Handicrafts and Handloom Policy 2020, have been notified.
(b) Credit Card Scheme for Artisans and Weavers is being implemented with interest subvention of 7 per cent.
(c) Karkhandar Scheme announced last year is being implemented to provide fresh impetus to the craft industry.
(d) Steps are being taken to promote Industrial Development and investment proposal worth Rs. 64,058 crore have been received involving land bank of 47,092 kanals thereby having a potential to generate employment for 2,93,689 youth.
(e) During 2022-23, till January, 2023 an investment of Rs 1547.87 crore has been received. The investment during the last 10 months of current financial year is highest ever compared to any previous financial years.
(f) In the last three years, 500 start ups have come up which have ushered a new social revolution.
(g) Government is committed to provide training, design, technology inputs like GI tag and such other infrastructural support as are required for quality, branding and boosting global demand for handicraft products of Jammu and Kashmir.
Employment
(a) Largest ever recruitment drive has been initiated in Jammu and Kashmir. 100 per cent recruitment is based on Merit. Totally fair, transparent, and fast-track process is adopted for recruitment. Interviews upto Pay Level – 5 have been dispensed.
(b) 33426 Posts have been referred to recruiting agencies, against which 25450 selections have been made including 2436 selections of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited. Remaining are under process for fast track recruitment.
(c) Employment generation is also encouraged through a number of self- employment schemes like Mumkin and Tejaswani under Mission Youth, Rural Livelihood Mission, Himayat, Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), J&K Rural Employment Generation Programme (J&KREGP), J&K Urban Employment Generation Programme (J&KUEGP), Women Entrepreneurship Programme, AVSAR etc. 2,02,749 youth have been covered under various self- employment schemes in 2022-23 and target is to cover 2,37,000 youth by end of March, 2023.
(d) Jammu and Kashmir has correspondingly higher labour force participation which is more than the national average. The wage employment has been almost saturated.
State of Economy
Despite odds, Jammu and Kashmir has sustained the pace of development and expeditiously managed the expenditure both under revenue and development side. The overall GSDP growth during financial year 2021-22 has been 14.64 per cent (1st Revised) as compared to financial year 2020-21. The sectoral breakup shows resilience in the economy.
The economy is on right track and government is focusing on equitable growth in all the sectors of the economy. The economy is expected to grow at 10% and there has been significant growth in collections under GST, Excise and Stamp Duty. The GST collection is Rs 6666.04 crore upto February, 2023; which has shown a growth of 14.64 percent over the same period of previous financial year 2021-22. The MST collection is Rs. 1444.45 crore upto ending February, 2023. The stamp collection is Rs. 438.88 crore upto February, 2023 against Rs 401.44 crore during the last financial year 2021-22; showing a growth of 9.33 percent. The excise collection has been Rs 1658.35 crore upto ending February, 2023 during current financial year 2022-23 against 1443.07 crore in the same period during the last financial year 2021-22; registering a growth of 14.92 %. The overall tax collection has shown significant growth and resilience.
This season we have also seen a good flow of tourist and over 1.88 core tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir during previous year upto December, 2022. Out of this 26.73 lakh tourists visited Kashmir which is more than double than the previous highest of 12.99 lakh in the year 2016. For the first time, the world famous Gulmarg Gondola has realized revenue of about Rs. 100 crore.
Exports of dry & fresh fruits is picking up and by end of February, 2023 about 18.15 lakh metric tons have been exported.
Financial Inclusion
(a) Under Atma Nirbar Bharat Abhiyan, 65,907 borrowers have been benefitted under Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line GECL (1.0, 2.0 & 3.0) involving Rs 2488.04 crore and free rice was provided to 16,49,706 families and pulses to 16,97,820 families. Special credit facility for street vendors with an initial working capital of Rs 10000, Rs 20000 & Rs 50000 has been disbursed to 20,596 beneficiaries under PM-SVANidhi Scheme. Rs 5794.12 crore credit has has been provided to 7,86,077 KCC (Crop) account holders and Rs 825.86 crore to 1,54,604 KCC-Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (AH&F) account holders. Rs 5251.22 crore under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna (PMMY), loan has been disbursed to 2,42,828 beneficiaries.
(b) Over 50,000 units have been set up with credit of around Rs 1,018 crore from banks, providing employment to nearly 75,000 youth identified during fourth phase of “Back to Village Programme” and second phase of “My Town My Pride Programme”.
Direct Benefit Transfers
(a) All the individual beneficiary schemes have been almost saturated and we are committed to achieve 100 per cent saturation in respect of these schemes along with 100 per cent Aadhar seeding. Around Rs 1378 crore have been disbursed to more than 39 Lakh beneficiaries through DBT so far during 2022-23.
(b) In the last one year, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 11 Lakh e- transactions per day, which is about 48,000 e-transactions per hour.
Budget 2023-24
The priorities for the Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the year 2023-24 shall be based on the underlying themes:
Good Governance Strengthening Grass-root Democracy Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Facilitating Investment & Industrial Growth. Employment Generation. Accelerated Development & Inclusive Growth. Women Empowerment. Social Inclusion. Doubling GDP within five years.
The budget 2023-24 for Jammu and Kashmir shall again cross Rs 1 lakh crore mark, an indicator of our commitment to make Jammu and Kashmir a model of development. The total budget estimates for the fiscal is Rs. 1,18,500 crore, of which developmental expenditure is of the order of Rs. 41,491 crore.
The capital component of the budget has increased substantially. The expected revenue receipts are Rs 1,06,061 crore whereas Revenue expenditure is expected to be Rs 77,009 crore, thereby making available revenue surplus for capital expenditure to the tune of Rs 29,052 crore.
The Capital Receipts are projected at Rs 12,439 crore and Capital Expenditure is expected to the tune of Rs 41,491 crore. 35% of the earmarked Budget shall be spent on development and infrastructure projects.
Socio-Economic Development
Agriculture, Horticulture and Sericulture Sector:
(a) The Jammu and Kashmir Holistic Agriculture Development Plan will be rolled out which will make horizontal change in the agriculture sector in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Under this plan, 29 projects have been approved with an outlay of Rs 5,012 crore over a period of next five years. This will transform the agriculture economy of Jammu and Kashmir putting it on a new trajectory of growth, doubling the output of sectors, boosting exports and making the sectors sustainable and commercially viable. It will herald a new phase of farming prosperity and rural livelihood security in Jammu and Kashmir and create additional job opportunities to 2,87,910 people in agriculture and allied sectors. 18,861 new business enterprises will be created over the period of next five years.
(b) Under this Holistic Agriculture Development Plan; 67,000 Metric Ton Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage space will be created with full value chain and aggregation network. Honey production will be tripled and Cocoon production will be increased from 700 Metric Ton to 1,350 Metric Ton over the period of next five years.
(c) Market-led production of food grains and high value crops will be grown in non-traditional areas.
(d) Farm power to be raised to 2.5 KW/hectare to minimize human drudgeries, reduction in cost of cultivation and ensure timely action and increase in production and productivity.
(e) The earnings from export of speciality products like Basmati, Rajmash, Kala Zeera, Mushkibudji, Saffron and honey will also increase.
(f) The area under assured irrigation will also expand from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.
(g) The gross cropped area will register rise from present 11.34 lakh Hectare to 12.50 Lakh Hectare by way of increased cropping intensity (Double/Triple cropping).
(h) Production and post-harvest losses will be reduced from 20-25% to 15-18% through post-harvest management initiatives envisaged under various schemes.
(i) Providing of Silk-Worm Seeds of improved races procured from National Silkworm Seed Organization (NSSO) to the farmers for conducting silkworm rearing. The seed to the farmers is supplied on highly subsidized rates by the Department.
(j) 200 Farmers to be provided rearing appliances to assist in rearing of cocoons on scientific lines for increasing cocoon yield.
(k) Construction of Chawki and Rearing Centre for incubation of Silk Worm Seeds for distribution of chawki reared worms to the rearers.
(l) Production of Pheromone baited traps for integrated pest management in fruit plants.
(m) Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics for automation in Agriculture.
(n) Packaging units for food items like Gucchi, Rajmash and other local forests/ Agriculture produce at Bhaderwah, District Doda.
(o) Establishment of cedar wood oil extraction and packaging unit at Bhaderwah, District Doda.
(p) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) project to be taken for implementation during 2023-24 with funding under multilateral agency and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
(q) Production of designer plants for promotion of High Density Plantation and Rejuvenation of Orchards.
(r) Strengthening Agricultural Marketing in Jammu and Kashmir by providing platform to the growers for marketing of horticulture produce, buyer-seller linkages for direct contact for sale and purchase of horticulture produce and ensuring more profits to farmers/ growers.
(s) Subsidy Support under the scheme PARVAZ for air transportation of perishable fruits like Cherry, Strawberry, Plum, Pear, Peach, Litchi and exotic/ organic vegetables.
(t) 2000 Metric Ton capacity cold store at Narwal Jammu and 2,500 Metric Ton capacity cold store at Mazbugh, Sopore to be established.
(u) GI tagging of local produce to authenticate and promote fruits of the Union Territory.
(v) Support under development of High Density Plantation Nurseries Scheme in public & private sector for increasing area under Mango and Citrus plantations in Hectare, Kiwi fruit plantations in Hectare, Apple, Walnut and Stone fruit plantations in Hectare.
For Agriculture and Horticulture Sectors, an allocation of about Rs. 2526.74 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs. 1239.45 crore more than previous year’s budget allocation.
Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Sector:
(a) Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan milk output will increase by 75% and milk entering processing chain will be tripled over the period of next five years. Jammu and Kashmir will become self-reliant in mutton and wool production.
(b) The Trout and Carp production to be doubled over the next five years.
(c) Increase in milk production from 25 to 45 Lakh Metric Ton alongwith increase in milk collection/chilling from 2.0 to 8.5 lakh litres per day (LLPD) and around 3.6 Thousand Metric Ton of value added products will enter the market over the next five years.
(d) Income enhancement of sheep rearers/breeders for greater livelihood security. Employment and income generation boost to wool processing industries.
(e) Towards self-sufficiency in fodder development for supporting burgeoning livestock population and to narrow down the fodder deficit of Union Territory by 80%.
For Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Sectors, an allocation of about Rs. 629.70 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 267.84 crore more than previous year’s budget allocation.
Health and wellness:
The Health and Medical Education Department is regularly focusing on improved public service delivery mechanism and meeting Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) norms through extended outreach for health care of masses and improving patient experience. The stakeholder’s feedback is assessed and ranking of health facilities is done regularly.
Operationalization of modern Drug Testing Laboratory at Kathua.
Operationalization of Cancer Institute, Jammu
Establishment & operationalization of Cathlabs at Government Medical College Anantnag
Attaining Tuberculosis (TB) free status for Districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Kupwara.
Saturation in operationalization of all Health & Wellness Centres.
Training on Yoga and Wellness for 1000 Ayush Paramedics for extended outreach of Yoga among community under Karamyogi campaign.
Introduction of Robotic Surgery at Government Medical College, Srinagar/ Jammu.
Establishment of Control and command centre for improved patient care at Government Medical College Jammu & Government Medical College Baramulla.
Strengthening of trauma care facilities in accident prone districts through optimization of infrastructure, manpower and provisioning of high-tech equipment’s for emergency diagnosis especially in areas like Doda/Kishtwar/Ramban.
Establishment of 25 Urban Health & Wellness Centres, 57 Block Public Health Units, 04 District Integrated Public Health Labs & One 50 Bedded Critical Care Block.
All facilities to be covered under Kayakalap.
Extension of telemedicine services for Intensive Care Units.
Extension of modules under Health Management Information System (HMIS) for improving Public Health Delivery Mechanism and Patient Records under Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA).
Tribal Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Mobile Medical Units for tribal areas.
Effective management for day care chemotherapy in all Districts.
Up-Scaling/Updation of OPD/IPD facilities under Nasha Mukt Abhiyan.
Reduction in C-Section deliveries by at least 20 per cent.
100 per cent screening of school children and other sections of the population.
Implementation of Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS).
Implementation of e-sanjeevani.
Establishment of medicine delivery system with introduction of drones for essential supplies/medicine on pilot basis and creation of drone stations.
Implementation of tele Out-patient Department (tele-OPD).
Unified Digi surveillance system in health sector.
Health screening at panchayat level.
100 per cent screening/ surveillance of Non-communicable diseases (NCD) and other diseases.
Early identification of high risk pregnancies & focus on postnatal care.
Full (100%) immunization coverage.
Reinforce Anaemia Mukt Jammu and Kashmir.
Radiotherapy equipment to be made available at all the Medical Colleges.
All 7 Medical Colleges to provide facilities for treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), ST Elevated Myocardial Infracted (STEMI) stroke and chemotherapy.
For Health and Medical Education Sector, an allocation of about Rs. 2097.53 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 214.97 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Rural Development:
(a) The villages will be developed as Model Villages with all the required amenities. All villages will be declared Open Defecation Free plus status (ODF plus) with implementation of all the components of Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G).
(b) Launch of HIMAYAT 2.0 with renewed focus on employment oriented trades for training and convergence of skill related infrastructure across the Departments like Skill Development, Mission Youth Industries & Commerce, School Education, Agriculture etc.
(c) Under NRLM-UMEED, Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) will focus on gender issues by forming Gender Forums at District, Block and Panchayat Level for registration of complaints for their redressal and service sector projects. 10,000 additional Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be formed taking total number to 1,00,000 in Jammu and Kashmir.
(d) 1500 new Panchayat Ghars will be constructed under Rastriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) within the initiative of “Har Panchayat- Panchayat Ghar”. 100% Internet connectivity will be provided to the Panchayat Ghars across the Union Territory.
(e) More than 3 lakh mandays of training of PRI members to be carried out under RGSA along with enhanced budget for exposure visits to other progressive States.
(f) 40,000 houses will be constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme across Jammu & Kashmir for house less families.
(g) Construction of 87250 Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs) and construction of 2500 Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs).
(h) More than 2080 villages to have provision for Solid Waste and liquid waste management along with provision for faecal sludge management.
(i) More than 2080 villages to become clean and litter free and these villages will be Plastic free with provisions for grey water.
(j) PRI members accommodation will be created using low cost sustainable technologies.
(k) Under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 400 lakh mandays will be generated under the scheme and it will be fully saturated with issuance of 100% online job cards.
For Rural Sector, an allocation of about Rs. 4169.26 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24.
Power Sector:
(a) Improvement in daily hours of power supply with urban at 24 hours & rural at 22 hours.
(b) Reduction in transformer damage rate, drop in Transmission and Distribution/Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses.
(c) 60% of energy consumed is targeted to be metered via smart meters by April 2023 and 100% consumers to be metered with smart meters by 2024-25.
(d) Renovation and modernization works to be undertaken at existing 220/132 KV Grid Sub Stations and protection/ replacement works at critical towers and insertion of new towers.
(e) Grid Connectivity of Gurez for reliable power supply to this border area and adjoining areas.
(f) Underground cabling through Z-Morh Tunnel for providing 24×7 Power supply to Sonamarg during winters.
(g) Underground cabling at Nunwan for reliable power supply to Holy Cave of Shri Amar Nath Ji.
(h) Construction for 540 MW Kwar Hydro Electric Power project to be initiated during 2023-24.
(i) To enhance the capacity of new 220 KV & 132 KV Grid Sub-Stations by 575 MVA and 100 MVA and existing 220 KV & 132 KV Grid Sub- Stations by 725 MVA and 754 MVA.
(j) Laying of transmission lines at 220 KV and 132 KV level by way of HTLS Conductor and normal ACSR conductors on critical lines. This will increase current carrying capacity by almost two times, which in- turn will lead to better utilization of existing Grid Stations. Besides, it will ensure reliable and smooth power supply.
(k) Addition to length of LT/HT network by 1324.073 Km.
For Power Sector, an allocation of about Rs. 1964.90 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24.
Tourism and Culture:
(a) As a “Tourism Mission” initiative 75 new destination, 75 Sufi/religious sites, 75 new cultural/heritage sites and 75 new tracks are being developed and opened up so that the economic gain of tourism industry trickle down to far off and hitherto unexplored areas. The promotion of Film Tourism will be important component of the “Tourism Mission” for the year 2023-24.
(b) Caravan Tourism, a new tourism vertical to be opened which will provide tourists a new activity and aid in promoting unexplored areas and off-beat destinations with minimal infrastructure projects. Eco-mobility facility to be created at Sonamarg, so that tourist can visit Thajiwas Glacier without effecting the environment.
(c) To add new vertical in tourism sector, Vista Dome Services to be operationalized on Baramulla-Banihal Railway stretch in collaboration with Railways.
(d) Road shows/events /festivals will be conducted at Union Territory, National and International level to promote tourism.
(e) Development of water parks at twin cities of Jammu & Srinagar.
(f) Upgradation of boat club cum water sports centre at Wular Lake to introduce water sport activities in Wular and Mansabal Lakes. Facilities will be created for water based activities at Dal Lake, Mansar Lake and Bhagliyar dam site.
(g) Athwajan Park, Srinagar and Khadinayar Park, Baramulla to be developed for recreational activities, adventure zones and children playing zones.
(h) Sporting activities to be conducted at new destinations like Sonamarg, Doodpathri Yusmarg, Bhaderwah & Patnitop besides at Gulmarg.
(i) Tourist Information Centres to be established at Baltal, Chandenwari, newly constructed Tunnel at Qazigund, Teetwal and Gurez for catering pilgrimage tourism during Shri Amar Nath Ji Yatra and promotion of Border Tourism.
(j) Promotion of traditional & cultural festivals across the Union Territory.
(k) Women guides to be encouraged at tourist places.
(l) Culture Centres to be established at Bandipora, Shopian, Anantnag, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Kathua, Jammu and Poonch.
(m) All the public libraries of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to be transformed into e-Libraries.
(n) Two old heritage sites at Shergari Complex and Old Shri Pratap Singh (SPS) Museum Srinagar to be restored and conserved under conservation of heritage sites programme.
(o) Abhinav Theatre at Jammu and Tagore Hall at Srinagar to be repaired, restored and upgraded.
(p) Talent hunt activities to be conducted.
(q) New “Art Museum” at stone building, Old Secretariat, Srinagar to be constructed.
(r) Historical fort at Samba, Narastan Monument at Tral, Pulwama, Hariparbat Fort at Srinagar and General Zorawar Singh Palace at Reasi to be refurbished for encouraging tourism.
For Tourism and Culture sectors, an allocation of about Rs 457.39 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 54.31 crore more than previous year’s budget allocation.
Jal Shakti Department:
PHE Sector:
(a) All 18.36 Lakh households of Jammu and Kashmir to have Functional Household Tap connections by 2023-24. Every household to be provided drinking water with minimum 55 litre per capita per day (LPCD) and of prescribed quality (confirming to BIS 10500) on regular, long term and sustainable basis.
(b) 60 water supply schemes are likely to be completed during 2023-24.
(c) 100% Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) based tanker service to be introduced in rural areas.
(d) National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation for 20 Labs.
(e) Digitalization of consumer records and implementation of online billing system in entire Jammu and Kashmir.
Irrigation and Flood Control Sector:
(a) Construction of Tawi Barrage to be completed during 2023-24.
(b) Timely desilting of irrigation canals.
(c) Completion of Hokarsar wetland sluice gates for maintaining optimal water depth.
(d) Implementation of part-B of “Jehlum Flood Management” for increasing its carrying capacity.
For Jal Shakti Department, an allocation of Rs. 7161 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for 2023-24, which is Rs. 3191 crore more the previous year’s budget allocation.
Housing and Urban Development Sector:
(a) 50,000 Households are likely to be provided with water tap connections during 2023-24, under universal coverage of water supply to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
(b) Sewage management of Dal Lake, Polluted river stretch of Anantnag and the remaining towns are being covered under septage management.
(c) 13.60 Million Litres per Day (MLD) capacity to be added under project Devika.
(d) Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) of 89.83 MLD capacity to be installed in phased manner, which is likely to benefit 6,20,565 souls.
(e) Under AMRUT-2.0 all the identified water bodies in the ULBs are being rejuvenated in phased manner, besides, river fronts viz. Jhelum River Front in Srinagar & Tawi River Front in Jammu are being developed through Smart Cities Mission and will be completed during 2023-24.
(f) Open Defecation Free (ODF) has been achieved in all 78 ULBs of Union Territory and 16 ULBs are ODF+. 100% ODF+ to be achieved in all ULBs during 2023-24.
(g) Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U); 18,934 dwelling units to be completed during 2023-24 under Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC) component.
(h) For improving access to rental housing for urban poor migrants, 336 flats at Sunjwan, Jammu are being upgraded and will be provided to the urban poor/migrants during 2023-24.
(i) Mass Housing/New Townships/Affordable Housing for Economically Weaker Section/Low Income Group/Middle Income Group to be developed at Gund-a-Raksha & Chatterhama, Srinagar and Kot Bhalwal at Jammu.
(j) 130 projects are expected to be completed under “Smart Cities Mission” during 2023-24. This will have improved infrastructure, Integration of technologies for smart governance, smart mobility, smart health centers, development of green spaces, street lightening and promotion of heritage.
(k) Elevated light Metro Rail in both the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar is expected to be rolled out during 2023-24 which will help the commuters in both the capital cities and also help in traffic decongestion.
(l) An Inter Model Station (IMS) at Katra as a terminal infrastructure to integrate various transportation modes such as Rail, Road and Air to be developed during 2023-24.
(m) Promoting circular economy.
(n) Scheme for disposal of electronic waste to be introduced.
(o) Introduction of policy for city mobility plans.
(p) Establishment of “Ladies Haat” and Ladies exclusively markets at Srinagar, Jammu and other major towns.
(q) Creation of Ekta Malls.
For Housing and Urban Development Sector, an allocation of about Rs. 2928.04 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs. 674.78 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Education Sector:
I School Education:
(a) Intensive enrolment drive under Aao School Chalein to be continued for increasing gross enrollment ratio.
(b) 2000 Kindergartens are proposed to be established during 2023-24 for providing quality pre-primary education.
(c) 10 residential schools to be established during 2023-24 with preference to tribal students and students from weaker sections for accommodating in these residential schools on merit for providing them quality education.
(d) 1000 smart classrooms with LCD & having high speed internet connectivity in a class to be established in High & Higher Secondary Schools for imparting quality education to students.
(e) Sports infrastructure including change rooms for players to be provided to 100 High and Higher Secondary schools.
(f) 500 additional class rooms to be provided in high and higher Secondary Schools benefitting more than 20,000 students.
(g) Free text books to be provided to all the students of elementary classes.
(h) Free uniform to be provided to all the elementary students belonging to weaker sections.
(i) Drinking water facility and gender based toilet facility to be made available in all the Schools.
(j) 500 schools to be provided ICT Labs and 100 Vocational Labs to be established in the Schools.
(k) Under Infrastructure/Quality Education, one residential school each in Baramulla, Shopian, Kishtwar and Rajouri Districts will be established to provide education to the wards of migratory people.
(l) 188 Virtual Reality Labs to be established in Jammu and Kashmir (One Lab in each Zone) to inculcate the scientific temper among students.
(m) 40 Robotic Labs to be established (Two Labs in each District) to help in improving schools digital equity, literacy and economic development besides, new teaching methodologies.
(n) Yoga training for all the students to keep them fit to be introduced as part of co-curricular activities.
Higher Education:
(a) Jammu and Kashmir is one of the front runner in adoption of National Education Policy (NEP) and will be fully implemented in the year 2023-24.
(b) NAAC accreditation of 32 colleges will be completed in 2023-24.
(c) Samarth “ERP eGov Suite”, will be fully implemented in 2023-24 with an aim at managing HRM, estate and inventory of Government Colleges and creating a centralized admission with student life cycle.
(d) Higher Education Council to be made functional during 2023-24.
(e) 08 college buildings and 04 hostel buildings likely to be completed in 2023-24
(f) 04 auditoriums and 04 multipurpose halls likely to be completed in 2023-24
(g) 02 library blocks likely to be completed in 2023-24.
For School and Higher Education Sector, an allocation of about Rs 1521.87 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 193.61 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Road Connectivity (Roads & Bridges):
(a) Overall, 6000 Kilometres of black-topping of roads is expected to be achieved during 2023-24 under all Schemes.
(b) 253 new projects at an estimated cost of Rs 1292 crore have been prioritized to be sanctioned under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)-XXVIII with NABARD funding and will be taken for execution during 2023-24.
(c) Safety audit of bridges having completed 20 years has been completed during 2022-23. Safety audit for the bridges having completed 10 years to be conducted during 2023-24.
(d) Efforts are being put on maintenance of road/bridge assets and also for road safety measures.
(e) Construction of 60 ongoing bridges sanctioned under different schemes to be completed during 2023-24.
(f) “Passing Bays” on all major roads to be constructed during 2023-24.
(g) PMGSY-III works to be started during 2023-24.
For Road and Bridge Sector, an allocation of about Rs 4062.87 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 98.99 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Industries and Commerce:
(a) 29 major projects have been identified for development of new industrial estates during 2023-24.
(b) The investment proposals for setting up of Medicities in Jammu and Srinagar have been received for creation of health infrastructure in private sector. Medicities at Sempora, Srinagar and Meeran Sahib, Jammu are being established to provide better health care facilities.
(c) The main aim of “One District One Product” is to promote local product for export. In this behalf district Srinagar & Jammu have been selected amongst the 75 districts across India for export of local products.
(d) 1500 units under Jammu and Kashmir Rural Employment Generation Programme (J&KREGP) are targeted to be established in 2023-24 involving margin money of 30 crore with employment to 9000 persons.
(e) Exhibitions to be conducted for showcasing of industrial potential.
(f) Workshops on capacity building/start-up promotion to be organized.
(g) Providing of turnover incentives to boost industrial Development for entailing increase in employment.
(h) Introduction of quality certification with branding under Handloom and Handicraft sector.
(i) Popularization of local products.
(j) Reducing compliances on “Ease of Living” and “Ease of Doing Business”.
(k) Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) development policy to be notified.
(l) Samadhaan 2.0 to be implemented.
(m) Tie-up of MSME with e-commerce platforms to be taken.
(n) Policy framework to support private investment to be introduced.
(o) Implementation of unified logistic interface platform.
(p) Creation of export hubs.
(q) Adoption of plug and play model for key development sectors including manufacturing sector.
For Industries and Commerce Sector, an allocation of about Rs 741.79 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 283.40 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Social Security Sector:
(a) Biometric Attendance System to be installed at all the Anganwadi Centres in phased manner.
(b) Scholarship to 124300, Pre-Matric students (1st-8th) belonging to categories of Scheduled Caste/Other Backward Classes/Economically Backward Classes/Physically Challenged Persons will be covered.
(c) All the Child Care Institutions to be developed on modern pattern with best living conditions for the inmates. 1700 inmates in 19 Bal Ashrams and 12 Nari Niketans to be covered.
(d) District Disability Rehabilitation Centers (DDRC) to be established in all 20 districts.
(e) Creation of Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) – Mahila Shakti Kendras
(f) Establishment of GPS enabled women helpline.
(g) Construction of working women hostels.
(h) Training for specially abled persons.
For Social Security Sector, an allocation of about Rs 98.92 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24.
Tribal Welfare:
(a) 24 Scheduled Tribe & Gujjar /Bakerwal Hostels to be completed.
(b) 07 Transit Accommodations for nomadic population are targeted to be completed.
(c) Milk villages and smart schools will be established for tribal population.
(d) Creation of market linkage for Tribal products like milk, mutton, sheep wool, leather etc.
(e) Transport facilities are being made available to tribal families for the seasonal migration of their goods and cattle.
(f) Tracking of educational, healthcare and economic status of nomadic population.
For Tribal Affairs, an allocation of about Rs 446.76 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs. 13.97 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Relief and Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Migrants:
(a) Foundation stone has been laid for construction of 936 flats as transit accommodation for Kashmiri Pandit employees at Zewan, Srinagar under Prime Ministers Development Programme. 1984 Transit Accommodations for kashmiri migrant employees will be completed during 2023-24.
(b) The remaining posts of 355 out of 6000 posts under PM-Package for kashmiri migrants to be filled during 2023-24.
(c) The cash assistance and food grains for Kashmiri/Jammu migrants to continue under SRE.
For above package, an allocation of about Rs. 1102 crore has been made for the year under Revenue & Capital Expenditure 2023-24, which is Rs. 267 crore more than the previous year.
Youth Empowerment, Employment and Entrepreneurship:
(a) Financial support through banks and Mission Youth to be provided to youth for undertaking self employment ventures.
(b) Under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Jammu and Kashmir Rural Employment Generation Programme (J&KREGP) & Jammu and Kashmir Urban Employment Generation Programme (J&KUEGP) financial support in the shape of margin money will be provided for establishment of viable business units in rural & urban areas.
(c) Under Self Employment Schemes viz Seed Capital Fund, Youth Startup Loan, National Minority Development Finance Corporation & Women Employment Programme a target of establishing 3200 units has been set for achieving employment for 8100 persons.
(d) 40 job fairs including 02 mega job fairs, each at Jammu & Srinagar, to be organized.
(e) 06 Model Career Centres to be established at Jammu, Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopian, Bandipora and Kupwara during 2023-24.
(f) Establishment of international workforce mobility tracking system.
(g) Skill development programme for overseas employment aspirants.
(h) Youth Clubs to be made vibrant for up-skilling of youth.
Sports Initiatives:
(a) More and more sports activities in every nook and corner of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to be conducted to engage 70 lakh youth in sports activities during 2023-24.
(b) High Performance Centres to be established in Fencing, Wushu and Gymnastics.
(c) Two Yoga Centres will be established one at Moulana Azad Stadium, Jammu and one at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar.
(d) Community participation in sports to be enhanced for developing vibrant sports ecosystem in the Union Territory.
(e) 25 national events to be hosted in different sports events under Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat Abhiyan.
(f) Cricket, Football, Volleyball and Wushu academies to be set up for institutionalization of sports learning process.
(g) Women participation in sports and para-athletics to be encouraged.
Skill Development:
(a) Up-Skilling of 60,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) through customized courses and trainings in convergence with other departments.
(b) Skilling scenario to be improved under Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) in 8 aspirational/border districts viz. Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, kathua, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara.
(c) Assessment/performance audit of all Industrial Training Institutes to be conducted.
(d) Construction of Hostels in various Polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes to be undertaken for providing boarding facilities to the trainees enrolled in various Polytechnics & Industrial Training Institutes across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
(e) Inclusive skill mapping of youth in Schools, Industrial Training Institutes, Polytechnics, Colleges and in tribal areas for disadvantaged youth to be conducted through UNICEF.
(f) Construction of workshop blocks at Government Industrial Training Institute Handwara, Patan & Tangdhar to give a significant boost by imparting the technical and practical training skills to the trainees.
(g) Creation of “Skill Hubs”.
(h) Training workshop on wheels to be introduced.
(i) Dynamic District & Union Territory level skill development plan to be framed to encompass all skilling.
(j) ‘Skill Loans’ from Jammu and Kashmir Bank for aspiring candidates.
For Youth Empowerment, Employment, Entrepreneurship, skill Development and Sports Activities, an allocation of about Rs 396.63 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24.
Forestry and Environment:
(a) Green Jammu and Kashmir drive to be carried out as an umbrella programme on afforestation. 1.50 crore saplings are targeted to be planted during 2023-24.
(b) 4290 Village Panchayats to be covered under “Har Gaon Hariyali” plantation drive.
(c) Under “One Beat Guard, One Village Programme” saplings and other planting material of fiber, food, fodder and timber species to be provided for planting in the village common land, kachharai and wasteland.
(d) Conserving and promoting clean wetlands in forest/ protected areas.
(e) Fodder production in forest areas to be enhanced.
(f) All ponds in forest areas to be rejuvenated.
(g) “Plastic Free Forests” initiative, to be launched as a campaign.
(h) 6000 eco-clubs to be registered in schools.
(i) De-silting of Wular Lake to be undertaken in a mission mode.
(j) Jambu Zoo will be ready and thrown open to the people in 2023-24.
(k) Pro Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Singlewindow Hub (PARIVESH) 2.0 to be implemented.
For Forest, Ecology and Environment Sector, an allocation of about Rs. 207.75 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs. 68.52 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs:
(a) 100 per cent distribution of ration to beneficiaries through Point of Sale (POS) machines.
(b) Digitalization of store inventory and complete implementation of supply chain management.
(c) Computerized weighing bridges to be put in place at Udhampur, Kishtwar, Ramban and Doda.
(d) Working Standard Laboratories to be constructed at Bandipora, Shopian, Pulwama, Doda and Budgam.
(e) Remodeling and face lifting of storage godowns at Nagrota, Rajouri, Khanabal, Kulgam and Beerwah.
(f) Implementation of e-rupee transactions in deliverance of public distribution services.
For Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, an allocation of about Rs.
390.87 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs. 21.49 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Science and Technology:
(a) Under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Component “B”, around 4000 Solar Agriculture Pumps will be installed during 2023-24.
(b) Under PM-KUSUM Component “C”, 5000 solar agriculture pumps will be taken up for installation during 2023-24 replacing the existing agriculture grid connected pumps.
(c) Under Jammu Solar City Project, against total sanctioned target of 200 Megawatt Rooftop Solar Power Plants, around 80 Megawatts in aggregate to be achieved in 2023-24, covering around 20,000 households.
(d) Under Rooftop Solar Power Plants for domestic sector funded by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), 3000 households will be covered to achieve installed capacity of 10 Megawatts during 2023-24.
(e) Under Srinagar Smart City Project, around 3 Megawatt Rooftop Solar Power Plants will be installed in Srinagar city.
(f) In first phase 50 buildings of Srinagar city and 20 other government buildings in different districts will be identified for providing grid connected rooftop solar power plants. The target will be to cover all the government buildings in a mission mode.
(g) Around 72 Megawatts aggregate capacity of small hydro power projects ranging from 2-10 Megawatts to be allotted to IPPs during 2023-24.
(h) Construction of Energy Bhawan at Channi Himmat, Jammu to be completed by end of 2023-24.
(i) Innovation and dissemination center within the premises of Sub- Regional Science Centre, Lal Mandi, Srinagar to be established. This project will provide the impetus for creation of start-ups.
(j) Demonstration farms of aromatic and medicinal plants to be established in various districts of the Union Territory.
(k) Financial support to be provided to 100 Research and Development projects during 2023-24.
(l) Process for establishment of Sub-Regional Science Centre, Jammu to be taken in collaboration with National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
For Science & Technology, an allocation of Rs. 109.85 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs. 37.00 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Cooperative Department:
(a) Restructuring of cooperative banks for enabling them to become profitable.
(b) Core banking solution to be adopted by all the cooperative banks and starting of internet banking facility thereof.
(c) Digitalization and compilation of data of all cooperative societies in Data Base Management System (DBMS).
(d) 80 new food processing units to be setup and made functional. This will lead to growth in income of cooperatives and employment generation for youth.
(e) Members of all “Artisan Cooperative Societies” to be saturated with Artisan Credit Cards.
(f) Modernization of super bazars at Jammu, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla & Budgam to be initiated and expediting construction of new cooperative super bazars at unexplored locations.
(g) Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), enabling their electronic linking with District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs).
(h) Establishment of Women led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
For Cooperatives, an allocation of Rs 25.00 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs. 10.00 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Revenue Department
(a) Legacy data of last 20 years to be scanned, digitized and uploaded on National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) Portal/ UT Data Centre.
(b) Installation of Safety equipment’s to prevent any damage to the record of registration documents for the Sub-Registrar offices.
For Revenue Department, an allocation of Rs 59.50 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 12.65 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation.
Transport Department:
(a) Scrapping policy of old vehicles in Transport Sector
(b) Introduction of buses and pink taxies for women.
(c) Women only bus drivers and conductors to be introduced.
For Transport Department, an allocation of Rs 54.39 crore has been made under Capital Expenditure for the year 2023-24 which is Rs 9.39 crore more than the previous year’s budget allocation
Security related activities:
(a) Police Border posts to be created in all the border districts of the Jammu and Kashmir.
(b) Crime Organization to be strengthened.
(c) Construction and erection of dominant towers/jammers in Jails.
(d) Construction of 02 hostels for wards of police martyrs.
(e) Construction of police housing colonies across Jammu and Kashmir.
(f) Up-gradation of Police Hospitals and Police Public Schools.
(g) Construction of 02 hostels for wards of armed forces (Ex-Servicemen).
(h) Modernization of existing Fire & Emergency Service Stations with procurement of latest technology driven instruments.
(i) Construction of Narcotic Lab at Forensic Science Laboratory, Srinagar and Toxicology & Narcotic Lab at Forensic Science Laboratory, Jammu.
(j) Construction and up-gradation of Physics & Ballistic Division at Forensic Science Laboratory, Jammu & Srinagar.
(k) CCTV Surveillance system to be completed in all police stations and police posts.
(l) CCTV cameras with command and control centre at public places.
For Security Related Activities, an allocation of Rs 1,197 crore has been made for the year 2023-24.
Financial Reforms/e-governance Initiatives:
(a) e-Office to be extended to all the offices of the Jammu and Kashmir.
(b) e-billing system Public Works Online Management, Monitoring & Accounting System (PWOMAS) to be extended in all the Engineering Departments.
(c) All the services and beneficiary-oriented scheme to be made 100% online.
(d) PM-Gati Shakti to be fully implemented in all the Departments.
(e) Universal transition to High Security Registration Plates and implementation of vehicle tracking platform to ensure continuous monitoring of all vehicles especially for safety of women.
(f) Intelligent Ticketing Management System to be introduced in Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation.
(g) Creation of online Census Management System by way of development of Mobile App.
(h) Introduction of GST data Triangulation.
(i) Creation of e-invoice system of GST.
(j) Transition of GST-IN into GST-Prime.
(k) Linking of e-way bill to FASTag & VAHAAN.
(l) Creation of single unique helpline by IT Department.
(m) Capacity building framework through inter- state knowledge exchange programme.
Supplementary Grant for the Current Financial Year 2022-23:
(a) The original grant for the financial year 2022-23 was Rs 1,12,950 crore. During the course of year from 1st April, 2022 to 31st March, 2023 an amount of Rs. 3711.7176 crore shall be withdrawn in excess of grant under the relevant Demands out of the Consolidated Fund of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to defray expenses on services and purposes required during the period. This had been largely necessitated due to expenses on account of increase in salaries due to hike in DA @ 4%, annual increment, grant-in-aid, subsidy and other revenue expenses including pension and other retirement benefits, increased capital allocation under different sectors like Irrigation & Flood Control Projects, Tribal Sub Plan Projects, Skill Development Projects etc.
(b) The Supplementary Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill No (01) is proposed to be presented to authorize payment and appropriation of Rs. 3711.7176 crore from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the period w.e.f 1st April, 2022 to 31st March, 2023.
BUDGET ESTIMATES OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023-24 FOR UNION TERRITORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR:
(a) The total receipts of 2023-24 are estimated at Rs 1,18,500 crore. Of which, Rs.1,06,061 crore are revenue receipts, Rs. 12,439 crore are capital receipts and Rs 30,000 crore are Ways & Means Advances. The own revenues both tax and non-tax are estimated to be Rs. 34,942 crore. In addition to this, Rs 35,581 crore are to flow as central assistance and Rs. 26,786 crore as CSS/ PMDP to Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
(b) Given these receipts, the total expenditure is estimated to be Rs 1,18,500 crore of this, capital expenditure would be Rs 41,491 crore and revenue expenditure Rs 77,009 crore.
(c) The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill No (02) is proposed to be presented to authorize payment and appropriation of Rs 1,48,500 crore from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the period w.e.f 1st April, 2023 to 31st March, 2024.
Fiscal Indicators:
(a) The tax/GDP ratio is projected at 8.82 % for 2023-24 which is higher than the previous year of 7.77 %.
(b) Debt/GDP ratio for 2023-24 is 49 %.
(c) GDP growth for the year 2023-24 has been projected at Rs. 2,30,727 crore which shows a growth of 10 % over the previous year.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with these words, I commend the Supplementary Budget (for 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023), and Budget for the year 2023-24 of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to this August House for further consideration.
JKSSB has been asked by the High Court to appoint 1446 paramedics after dismissing the petitions filed by those who have been working against these positions for many years.
KATHUA
Dilbagh Singh (IPS)
In an interesting revelation, the Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief, Dilbagh Singh said they have recovered a ‘perfume bomb’ from a school teacher turned militant. The recovery took place while investing in the twin Narwal blasts of January 21, 2023, and the outcome included solving four terror attacks—three on the outskirts of Jammu City and another at Katra. The teacher was identified as Mohammad Auraf Sheikh alias Arif, 32, son of Ghulamudin, a resident of village Pagihalla in the Baransal area of Gulabgarh(Reasi), who was posted at Government Middle School, Pagihalla(Mahore) but living at Peerbagh Colony at Sunjuwan in the rented accommodation of a Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) Inspector. He had been living in the cop’s accommodation between December 2021 and March 2022 and from December 1, 2022, to January 2023 and the cop had not informed the concerned. Hired as ReT in 2010, and his services were regularised in 2016.
DGP said Arif was in touch with Pakistan-basedLashkarcommander Mohammad Qasim, a resident of the village Angralla (Reasi) district, and was introduced by his maternal uncle Qamar Din of Baransal, Doda, who is settled in Karachi. His job was to collect drone-dropped IEDs and sticky bombs from the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua. The teacher had burnt almost every single thing that could have proved as evidence against him but he was still caught. Police said he admitted that he planted two sticky bombs, each weighing 450 grams, beneath seat number 3 of the bus, above the petrol tank, on May 13, 2022, in which a few Vaishno Devi pilgrims were killed and mostly survived injured.
The government has allotted Rs 62 crore, to be spent over five years for the cultivation of Medicinal Aromatic Plants on 5000 kanals of land spread across 28 clusters, creating over 3000 jobs and 28 enterprises.
GULMARG
Two Polish skiers were washed away by a debilitating avalanche at Gulmarg’s Afarwat skiing slope when 21 skiers were taken by surprise. While the rescue patrol rescued 19 skiers and their two guides – Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, the bodies of Krzysctof, 43, and Adam Grzech45, were retrieved from under a mound of snow. With powdered snow, Gulmarg is the best destination for world-class skiing outside the Alps. The spot is crowded with skiers these days. This season, Kashmir witnessed its seven major avalanches. While four avalanches hit Gurez, two hit Sonamarg earlier. In one of the avalanches at Sonamarg, two labourers working on the Zojilla tunnel were killed. Incidentally, most of these avalanches were captured live. One mobile owner actually captured the last moments of one of the two ill-fated skiers. The last major avalanche in Gulmarg was on February 8, 2010, which killed 17 soldiers.
As per a study, around 6.5 per cent of women in Srinagar started experiencing domestic violence during Covid-19-induced lockdowns.
DODA
After mass migration from Uttrakhand’s Joshimath due to its feared sinking, a similar tragedy almost struck a village located on the banks of Chenab River, where 21 residential structures developed cracks in Thathri tehsil of Doda since December last year. More than 111 people from 21 homes declared unsafe were shifted away from the Nai Basti village. The administration is yet to know the cause of land erosion and a team from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been rushed to the spot.
Jammu and Kashmir’s government inaugurated 94 sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 46 crore under CAPEX and JKIDFC
SRINAGAR
Against the backdrop of tracing a fake posting and appointment order, the School Education Department has ordered verification of the genuineness of the 2009 batch and other appointees of which orders have been issued by the government. The order came after a fraudster was found serving the department for more than 13 years by producing fake postings and appointment orders.
Jammu and Kashmir’s government is spending Rs 146 crore to promote niche crops as unique heritage.
SRINAGAR
Following a Delhi Court order, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached the Hurriyat office in Srinagar. In an order, Shaliender Malik, additional sessions judge, New Delhi district, had ordered the attachment under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-1967. The court, however, had added that the attachment in itself does not mean that there is any pre-trial conclusion regarding that property. The Court further said that among the different allegations and evidence, it was also the case that the office of APHC was the place where meetings were held to strategize different protests, funding activities of stone pelting on security forces, recruiting of unemployed youths to carry out unlawful activities as well as terrorist activities to create unrest in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir to wage war against the Government of India.
57 schools and roads were recently renamed in memory of eminent persons and lain soldiers.
SRINAGAR
Nearly 656309 hectares of State and Khacharai land were retrieved during the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir. On January 9, the administration had asked the DCs to ensure that all encroachments on state land, including grazing land and that granted under the Roshni Act, are removed by January 31. The major chunk of 2,75,867 hectares of land was retrieved from encroachers in Rajouri, followed by 1,44,613 hectares in Reasi, 1,22,277 in Poonch, 47,552 hectares in Kishtwar, 33,000 Kanals in Bandipora, 15,000 in Kathua, 14,000 in Ganderbal and 4,000 in Kupwara districts so far. In line with the government’s assurances that big fishes are on target, 40 kanals of land were retrieved from a hotel in Srinagar that belongs to close relatives of former CM Farooq Abdullah. In Anantnag, the boundary wall of the residence of former minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayyed (Congress) at Dahmal Khoshipora was demolished. However, while many high profiles people were targeted, the Lal Chowk Srinagar’s Aftab market witnessed the sealing and then subsequent reopening of two dozen odd shops.
India’s 2023-24 budget has allocated Rs 35,581.44 crore to Jammu and Kashmir, mostly as central assistance. It is slightly lower in comparison to allocations of Rs 44,538.13 crore in the last budget.
JAMMU
Trilochan Singh Wazir
Delhi Police has arrested Sudershan Singh Wazir, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Sikh United Front and his two associates Harjinder Singh Raina and Jagpal Singh for their alleged involvement in the murder of NC lawmaker and trader Tarlochan Singh Wazir on September 3, 2021. Sudarshan was summoned by police to Delhi and booked under Section 120-B IPC. The recent arrests in the case were based on the disclosures of Harpreet Singh, a prime accused in the murder.
NABARD estimates Jammu and Kashmir has credit potential worth Rs 34082 crore in the priority sector in 2023-24.
LADAKH
Engineer Sonam Wangchuk, Ladakh’s change-maker and the man on whose life the Bollywood blockbuster, 3 Idiots is based, was on a “symbolic carbon neutral climatic fast” (read hunger strike) for five days. His protest was for an extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh, full statehood and other demands already propounded by the region’s political leadership. His protest became global news as the Leh administration restricted him to his Himalayan Institutes of Alternative Ladakh (HIAL). Now the region’s leadership wants him to be part of the negotiations with Delhi. The Magsaysay Award winner’s statement shocked the government: “I didn’t think I would ever say this, but I am saying that we were better off with Jammu and Kashmir than today’s UT [Union Territory]. I would also tell that tomorrow’s UT would be better and golden.”
In the last three years, Budgam district witnessed the seizure of 1120 vehicles for “illegal missing” and they were fined to the tune of Rs 17,357,156.
BIHAR
Last week, social media was dominated by a young Kashmir lady who had converted to Hinduism for marrying Lalu Singh, a resident of Begusarai, Bihar. She emerged on the social media scene after her in-laws refused to adopt her and wanted her to go back home. She had fled home twice and was sent back by her in-laws but this time she refused and went public. Later, a possible police intervention helped her reunite with her husband.
Against a loan of Rs 400 crore to various power projects owned by Adani group, almost Rs 255 crore is still unpaid.
DELHI
In his Mann Ji Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said to many Kashmier winter pictures look like a fairy tale. “During winters, people also enjoyed snowfall in the mountains. Some pictures came in from Jammu and Kashmir which captivate hearts in the entire country,” Modi said. “People are saying that picture of a beautiful snowfall, white sheet like snow all around looks like a fairy tale. They comment that these pictures are not of any foreign nation but that of Kashmir in our own country.” Then he became a Kashmir brand ambassador: “Seeing these pictures, you too must be thinking of going on a trip to Kashmir. I would like you to go there yourself and also take your friends along. Besides snow-capped mountains along with natural beauty, there are many more things to see and know in Kashmir.” Then, he moved to snow cricket and termed it an “exciting game”. He added; “Winter Games were organized in Syedabad, Kashmir. Kashmiri youth make cricket even more amazing in the snow. Through this, there is also a search for young players in Kashmir, who will later play as Team India. In a way, this is also an extension of the Khelo India Movement.”
In the last 20 years, Kashmir recorded 2357 Asiatic black bear attacks on humans till 2020.
SRINAGAR
Kashmir’s handicraft basket will now have a Quick Response (QR) code alongside the GI labelling. The initiative aimed at fair trade practice is taking place at a time when the handicraft sector is exhibiting a strong revival with exports in the last nine months crossing Rs 729 crore, for the first time after 2019. Now, 13 Kashmir crafts including six handicrafts already having GI will have distinct QR codes. These include Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Sozni, Kani Shawl, Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving, Kashmir Papier Machie and Khatamband. In the case of Kashmir Pashmina’s GI labelling has been redeveloped and has been integrated with the QR-Code certification module.
From 23 procurement spots, the agriculture department has purchased 33600 tons of paddy from 6,549 farmers in Jammu and Kashmir for Rs 68.88 crore.
Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State has claimed that India and Pakistan were on the brink of a nuclear war in wake of the surgical strikes in 2018, an issue that the US settled in a night that he will never forget
US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Monday tried their hands at spinning the ‘charkha’ (spinning wheel) at the Sabarmati Ashram Ahmedabad Gujarat. Pic: ANI
The Balakot surgical strike on February 27, 2018, had triggered a serious diplomatic crisis and was heading towards a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. This is precisely what Donald Trump’s Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo has claimed in his memoir Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love.
“I do not think the world properly knows just how close the India-Pakistan rivalry came to spilling over into a nuclear conflagration in February 2019. The truth is, I don’t know precisely the answer either; I just know it was too close,” Pompeo wrote.
Then in Hanoi, Vietnam, for negotiations between North Korean leader and Trump, the Indo-Pak tensions flared after a militant blew up an explosive-laded vehicle hitting a CRPF convey killing more than forty paramilitary personnel on February 14. In retaliation, Indian Air Force flew bombers during the night of February 27 and 28, hitting Balakot, a key Jaish formation. A day later, there was a dogfight between the rival fighters as a result of which India lost a fighter jet and its pilot was caught (later returned). Pakistan Air Force also bombed various spots inside Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking about the call that he received from his counterpart, then Sushma Swaraj, Pompeo wrote that he was informed that “Pakistanis had begun to prepare their nuclear weapons” and India was also “contemplating its own escalation”.
“I asked him to do nothing and give us a minute to sort things out. I began to work with Ambassador Bolton, who was with me in the tiny secure communications facility in our hotel,” Pompeo wrote. “I reached the actual leader of Pakistan, General Bajwa, with whom I had engaged many times. I told him what the Indians had told me. He said it wasn’t true. As one might expect, he believed the Indians were preparing their nuclear weapons for deployment. It took us a few hours—and remarkably good work by our teams on the ground in New Delhi and Islamabad—to convince each side that the other was not preparing for nuclear war. No other nation could have done what we did that night to avoid a horrible outcome.”
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Love for J
The Ministry of External Affairs Ministry in Delhi has avoided reacting to the revelation. At the same time, Pompeo has asserted that he actually worked with NSA Ajit Doval and the then foreign secretary, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who later in May 2019, became the Foreign Minister of India.
In his book, Pompeo has showered praises on Jaishankar’s capacity and knowledge – a man speaking seven languages, English “somewhat better than mine”, professional, rational, and a “fierce defender of his boss and his country”. However, Pompeo has termed Swaraj, a “goofball and a heartland political hack”. Jaishanker has strongly reacted to this and termed it “disrespectful” to his predecessor.
India versus Pakistan
While Pompeo’s book is an idea about Trump’s world order, it offers many details about the Indian subcontinent, especially India and Pakistan.
Indian leaders, Pompeo writes are “intently focused every minute on their bête noire of Pakistan” because the nuclear power controlled by its military and Islamist-sympathizing intelligence services presents a significant strategic and a terroristic threat to India. “Every action I took with respect to Pakistan—a trip or a phone call or a comment—was sure to result in a message saying that Prime Minister Modi or Foreign Minister Jaishankar wanted to speak. They were relentless and appropriately so,” the book reads.
Great Allies
At the same time, however, Pompeo has staked credit for ensuring a shift in India’s foreign policy that has always “charted its own course without a true alliance system, and that is still mostly the case” and has never remained tilted either towards USSR or the USA.
Pompeo sees the China angle as the key to a change. A strong ally of Pakistan, the Chinese army clubbed 20 soldiers in a skirmish in Ladakh. “That bloody incident caused the Indian public to demand a change in their country’s relationship with China. India also banned TikTok and dozens of Chinese apps as part of its response,” Pompeo wrote.
India’s foreign minister speaking to the UN general assembly on September 29, 2018
Offer details of a shift in US foreign policy, Pompeo – who was CIA chief before becoming Secretary of State, wrote that American diplomacy put Tokyo at the centre of its Asia policy and viewed Seoul as its primary location for geostrategic reach, which neglected India.
“Its population rivals that of China. We are natural allies, as we share a history of democracy, a common language, and ties of people and technology. India is also a market with enormous demand for American intellectual property and products. These factors, plus its strategic location in South Asia, made India the fulcrum of my diplomacy to counteract Chinese aggression,” explained Pompeo. “In my mind, a counter-China bloc made up of the United States, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the European Union would have an economic weight at least three times that of China. I chose to devote serious quantities of time and effort to help make India the next great American ally.”
This was the key reason why India joined Quad, according to the book. However, certain inherent limitations remain. These include India’s inherent dislike for alliances, a deeply protectionist and state-directed economy, Russian weaponry and its trading relationship and a long international border with China. These issues limit “India’s appetite for risk”.
In India the state assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and for the Municipal Council of Delhi are over, and the results are awaited. Soon thereafter preparations will begin for the state assembly elections in 2023 in Tripura ( due in March ), Karnataka ( due in May ), Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh ( due in November ), and Rajasthan ( due in December ). And of course the parliamentary elections due in 2024.
India has 28 states and 8 union territories, apart from the hundreds of local bodies like Municipal Corporations, Zila Panchayats, Block Panchayats, gram panchayats, etc for which elections are held regularly. The country is perpetually in an election mode, and the public participate in them enthusiastically.
What our simpleton people do not realise is that they are being taken for a ride. Will change in the ruling parties or their representatives make any substantial difference in their lives ? Will it reduce or eliminate poverty, hunger, unemployment, price rise, lack of proper healthcare and good education for the masses ? Not at all. It is change in the system which is required for this, but no one talks of that.
The system of parliamentary elections ( which we blindly borrowed from the British ) further entrenches casteism and communalism in India, which are the main feudal forces holding up our progress, for parliamentary elections largely run on caste and communal vote banks. And so it has to be replaced by an alternate system which unleashes our potential, and enables our country to march rapidly towards a high level of industrialisation and modernisation, which alone can give prosperity and a high standard of living to our people.But no one talks of that, not even our so called ‘intellectuals’ and our supposedly ‘free’ media.
It is time that the patriotic thinkers in India realise this, awaken our gullible masses from their slumber, and using their creativity think out and devise such an alternative to the present system. Otherwise we will remain in the mess we are in today indefinitely
Following a Delhi Court order, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached the Hurriyat office in Srinagar. In an order, Shaliender Malik, additional sessions judge, New Delhi district, had ordered the attachment under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-1967. The court, however, had added that the attachment in itself does not mean that there is any pre-trial conclusion regarding that property. The Court further said that among the different allegations and evidence, it was also the case that the office of APHC was the place where meetings were held to strategize different protests, funding activities of stone pelting on security forces, recruiting of unemployed youths to carry out unlawful activities as well as terrorist activities to create unrest in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir to wage war against the Government of India.
