Srinagar, Mar 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that under Pradhan MantriAwas Yojana Grameen (PMAY-G, 40,000 new houses will be built for houseless families and 1500 new Panchayat Ghars will be constructed under “Har Panchayat-Panchayat Ghar” initiative in the UT.
Speaking on the J&K Budget 2023-24 in Jammu, LG Sinha said that under the PMAY-G, 40,000 new houses for houseless families and 18934 dwelling units to be completed under Pradhan MantriAwas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U).
He said 1500 new Panchayat Ghars to be constructed under “Har Panchayat-Panchayat Ghar “initiative,” he said adding that 87,350 Individual Household Latrine(IHHL) and 2500 Common Service Centres (CSCs) will also be constructed.
“Sewage Management of Dal Lake to be accomplished. 89.83 MLD STPs to be installed benefitting 6, 20,565 people. Rs 1313 crore provided for PRIs and ULBs and Rs 271.25 crore for DDCs/BDCs,” he said.
Regarding Metro Services in Srinagar and Jammu, LG Sinha said that elevated light Metro Rail in Capital Cities of Jammu and Kashmir to be rolled out.
“New Townships and Housing Colonies to be established for economically weaker sections, low income group, Middle Income group at Jammu and Srinagar,” he said.
LG said that they are mulling to establish ladies HAAT and Ladies Exclusive Markets in Jammu, Srinagar and other Major Towns.We are planning creation of EKTA Malls,” he said.
The L-G said a holistic agriculture development plan is being rolled out, with 29 proposed projects at an outlay of ₹5,012 crore over a period of next five years.
“It will create additional job opportunities to 2,87,910 people in agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors; 18,861 new business enterprises will be created over the period of next five years,” he added.
“Further 67000 Metric Ton CA Storage Capacity to be created. Honey Production will be tripled over next 5 years. Trout and Carp production to be doubled over the next 05 years and Milk production to reach 45 Lakh MTs from 25 Lakh MTs over next 05 years,” LG Sinha said.
He also stated that they will support the development of High Density Nurseries for private and public entities.
LG Sinha said under the Digital J&K initiative, 445 online services are being provided through e-UNNAT portal. 225 e-services have been integrated with Rapid Assessment System for real time feedback on quality of service delivery.
“All the online services have been linked with the Public Service Guarantee Act in J&K.” he said adding that J&K is among first States and Union Territories to have District Good Governance Index for assessing the public service delivery at district level.
“The aspirational Panchayat Development Programme, Aspirational Block Development Programme and Aspirational Town Development Programme are the three new initiatives being implemented in UT,” he said.
Asserting that around 50 Lakh youth have participated in in different sports activities in the year 2023-24, and LG said they have allocated budget of Rs 145 crores will further boost and augment the sports sector in the Union Territory and transform into a power of sports.
“Jammu and Kashmir is becoming a powerhouse in the sports sector,” he said adding that under “My Youth My Pride, Har Din KhelHar Ek Kay LiyeKhel ” nearly 70 lakh youth have participated in different sports activities during 2023-24.
He said high performance centres to be established in Fencing, Wushu and Gymnastics.Cricket, Football, Volleyball and Wushu academies are to be established.
“Yoga centres at Maulana Azad Stadium Jammu and Bakshi Stadium Srinagar to be established. 25 national events to be hosted in different sports events under “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” Abhiyan and women participation in sports and Para athletics to be encouraged,” the Lt. Governor said.
The L-G said the Jammu and Kashmir has been among top performers in the country for implementation of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Amrit Sarovar, SVAMITVA Scheme, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, NashaMuktAbhiyan and Renewable Energy Development. Most of the social security schemes have been saturated in J&K, he said.
The LG said that in 2018-19, 9228 works have been completed in 2019-20, 12637, in 2020-21, 21943 and in 2021-22, 50627 works have been completed.
“This year we expect 70,000 works to be completed. This is the paradigm shift in the pace of development in J&K over the last three to four years. Road construction nearly doubled to 3200 kilometres against 1500-1600 Km in 2018,” he said.
LG Sinha said that J&K government has started various E- Governance Initiatives. It will be extended in all offices and creation of online census management system
“Intelligent ticketing management system by JKRTC and creation of e-invoice system of GST, GST Data Triangulation and transition of GST IN into GST PRIME,” he said adding that linking of e-way bill to FASTag and VAHAN will also be in online mode.
LG Governor also said that for Health and Wellness, Rs 2094 crore has been allocated under the budget. We will ensure full implementation of Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) norms to cover infrastructure deficit under the Health Sector.
“We will reinforce Anaemia MUKT J&K, 100% screening of non communicable diseases. Health screening at Panchayat level and 100% screening of school children,” he said adding that there will be tribal ASHAs and Mobile Medical Units for Tribal Areas.
“We are planning to establish 25 Urban health & Wellness Centres and 57 Block Public Units,” LG Sinha said.
Regarding road Connectivity, LG Sinha said that over Rs 4000 crore has been allocated and 6000 Kilometers of black-topping of road length is targeted for 2023-24.
“353 new projects under NABARD and Completion of 60 new bridges,” he said adding that passing Bays at all major roads will also be covered.
“Key roads to be developed as part of G20 summit meetings. Safety audit of bridges having completed 10 years and each village will be connected with a good road,” he said.
The Lt. Governor also said that the government has allocated Rs 5500 crore allocated for 2023-24 to reach water to every household.
“All 18.36 lakh households of Jammu and Kashmir to have Functional Household Tap connections by 2023-24 under JJM. Tawi Barrage to be completed in 2023-24. 60 water supply schemes to be completed and Implementation of Jhelum Flood Management Part B,” he said adding that desilting of irrigation canals with timelines.
LG said for Power sector- Rs 1965 crore has been allocated. We have a target of 100 % consumer metering by 2024-25 and capacity addition of 854 MVA at 132 KV level and 1300 MVA at 220 KV level.
“Addition of length of HT/LT network by 1324 kms. Underground cabling at Nunwan for reliable power supply to Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath Ji. Grid connectivity to Gurez and underground cabling for ensuring power supply to Sonamarg in winters,” he said.
LG said that power Generation capacity will be doubled in 3 years with more than 3000 MW Capacity addition. Construction of 540 MW KWAR HEP to commence in 2023-24, he said.
Regarding Social Security, Tribal Welfare and Relief, Rehabilitation, the Lt. Guv said that Rs 1246 crore for Old Age/widow/Disability pension, Rs 245 crore for Ladli Beti scheme and Rs 80 crore for Marriage Assistance scheme
“Rs 447 crore for Tribal Development. Scholarship to 1, 24,300 pre-matric students belonging to SC/OBC/EBC and Physically challenged categories,” he said adding that District Disability Rehabilitation Centers (DDRC) to be established in all 20 districts, imparting training for specially abled persons.
LG Sinha said that creation of Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) – Mahila Shakti Kendras and Establishment of GPS enabled women helpline.
“Construction of working women hostels. Introduction of buses and pink taxis for women. Women only bus drivers and conductors to be introduced, he said.
The LG said that 24 ST and Gujjar / Bakerwal hostels are to be completed. 07 transit accommodations for the nomadic population to be established.Market linkage and transport facilities to tribal families for the seasonal migration of their goods and cattle, he said.
About Forestry and Environment, LG Sinha said Rs 508 crore allocated including CAMPA. Over 1.50 crore saplings are targeted to be planted and 4290 Village Panchayats to be covered under “HarGaonHariyali” plantation drive.
“Jambu Zoo will be ready and thrown open shortly.Plastic Free Forests” initiative, as a campaign and PARIVESH 2 will be implemented,” he said.
Regarding Science and Technology- Rs 110 crore allocated, the Lt. Governor said that 9000 solar agriculture pumps to be installed under PM-KUSUM. 80 MW roof top solar power plants to be installed at Jammu and 3 MW at Srinagar, he said.
He said construction of Energy Bhawan at Jammu to be completed and subsidy scheme for installation of roof top solar power plants in the domestic sector.
LG said for Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs- Rs 391 crore allocated and digitisation of store inventory and complete implementation of supply chain management to ensure timely distribution of food grains. Implementation of e-rupee in deliverance of Public Distribution System, he said.
“For Cooperatives- Rs 25 crore allocated and it will be used for restructuring of cooperative banks. Digitalisation and compilation of data of all cooperative societies in database management systems,” he said.
The LG said that 80 new food processing units to be set up and made functional. Establishment of women Led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Cooperative Societies members are saturated with Artisan Credit Cards, he said.
The LG also said for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Rs 799 crore has been allocated. We are planning for construction of police housing colonies for police personnel.
“Construction of 02 hostels for wards of Police Martyrs and 02 hostels for wards of Armed Forces (Ex-servicemen),” he said adding that upgradation of police hospitals and police public schools will be also done in a time bound manner.
Later, addressing the reporters in Jammu, the LG Sinha said interests of common man have been taken into consideration and genuine proposals on imposition of Property Tax would be considered.
He said suggestions submitted by the people would be analysed and those found genuine would be considered.He reiterated that Property Tax imposed in Jammu and Kashmir is one-tenth from the rates in Ambala, Shimla, Dehradun and other parts of India.
“People in rural areas don’t have to pay any tax. Forty percent population in City too won’t have to pay tax. Another 40 percent will have to pay maximum tax of Rs 1,000 per year.
LG said there are 5.20 lakh houses in Srinagar, Jammu and other municipalities of the Union Territory.
“Out of that 2.06 lakh houses are existing on less than 1000 sq ft. which means that there would be no tax for 40 percent of the population. 80 percent of the 2,0,3680 households will have to pay a nominal amount of Rs 600-Rs 1000 as property tax per annum,” he said.
Regarding the commercial establishments, the Lieutenant Governor said that there are 1.01 lakh units in Srinagar, Jammu and other municipalities.
Out of which about 46 percent of shops are existing only on less than 100 sq ft. which means they have to pay Rs 700 per year as tax. 80 percent of the shops will come into the range of Rs 500-550 per year. It is just Rs 50 per month, he added.
