Srinagar, Mar 29:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that Union Territory (UT) witnessed economic growth of 14.64% and tax revenue was up by 31%, as 1.88 crore tourists visited the UT in the year 2022.
Speaking on the J&K Budget 2023-24 in Jammu, LG Sinha said the year 2021-22 saw 14.64% economic growth and tax revenue shot up to 31%. “The law and order situation has improved appreciably in J&K, and this year the highest number of 1.88 crore tourists visited J&K,” he said.
“The investment proposals worth Rs 70,000 crore have been received for industrial development. There is huge improvement in the law-and-order situation. It has good results as an unprecedented number of 1.88 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir. This is the previous year’s figure,” he said.
Lt. Governor said that till late night, people are enjoying Shikara rides. They are having dinners at restaurants and hotels. Cinemas are running smoothly and everything is running normally,” he said.
“After a gap of 30 years, night bus services were started in Kashmir. Schools and colleges and universities are running smoothly. Shops remain open and people are living their normal lives,” he said.
On the Rs 1 lakh crore budget approved for Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha asserted that it is the first budget of Amrit Kaal and third time the budget has exceeded Rs 1 lakh crore to ensure development in J&K. This budget will give a fillip to the development journey during Amritkaal, he said.
“We are trying to fulfil the dream of new Jammu and Kashmir during the last three years,” he said, adding that the Rs 1,18,500 crore budget will fulfil the dreams of all.
LG Sinha expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the budget and indebted to the Union home minister too.
He said the budget 2023-24 will be focusing on nine-sectors for an overall development and progress of the Union Territory. In the budget 2023-24, focus will be laid on nine key sectors, which will further expedite progress and development in the region, the Lt. Governor said.
“Budget 2023-24 will focus on sectors comprising good governance, strengthening grass-root democracy, promoting sustainable agriculture, facilitating investment and industrial growth, employment generation, accelerating development and inclusive growth, women empowerment, social inclusion and doubling GDP in next five years,” he said.
Regarding recruitment in JK, the LG said 25,450 selections have been made, including 2,436 selections of J&K Bank Limited. Around 2,02,749 youth have been covered under various self-employment schemes and the target is to cover 2,37,000 by the end of current year. Next year, around three lakh will be covered under all the self-employment schemes,” he said
LG said the remaining posts of 355 out of 6,000 posts under PM Package for Kashmiri Migrants to be filled. “Cash assistance and food grains for Kashmiri, Jammu Migrants to continue (₹393 crore allocated),” he said.
He said on employment and skill Mission- Rs 200 crore for Mission Youth have been allocated in the budget and Rs 133 crore for Self Employment and Skill
“Vacant posts to be filled on a fast track basis. Target to cover 3 lakh youth under various self-employment schemes in 2023-24,” LG Sinha said.
He said administration will create Skill Hubs and Skill loans will be provided from J&K Bank for aspiring candidates. Up-skilling of Youth through Youth Clubs and training workshop on wheels to be introduced,” LG said adding that they are planning to establish 06 model career centres.
He said ₹400 crore are being provided for the construction of transit accommodations for Kashmiri Migrant employees to be provided. “Further 1984 transit accommodations to be completed in 2023-24,” he said.
LG Sinha said that under the tourism mission, ₹447 crore are allocated for 75 new destinations, 75 Sufi religious sites, 75 new cultural heritage sites and 75 new tracks are being developed for economic gain of the tourism industry.
He said the highest ever investment of ₹1,547.87 crore received during the last 10 months of this year. “500 hundred start-ups have come up during the last three years,” LG said, adding that the administration is also introducing Caravan Tourism.
Regarding Rural and Urban Development, the Lt. Governor said implementation of Aspirational Panchayat Development programme and Aspirational Town Development programme is underway in the UT.
“Under SwachhGaonAurSwachhShahr program, all villages and ULBs will be declared Open Defecation Free plus status (ODF plus). Around 2420 Amrit Sarovars already completed, remaining to be completed by 15th August, 2023,” he said.
For surveillance in J&K, the Lt. Governor said that CCTV Surveillance system to be completed in all police stations and police posts
