Srinagar, Feb 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has secured the 23rd position in the prestigious list of top 100 powerful Indians for the year 2024 In a recent release by leading national daily The Indian Express. Notably, this marks a significant climb of 5 ranks from the previous year, 2023.
He joined as the second LG in Jammu and Kashmir on August 06, 2020 and will complete his four years in August this year.
The national daily highlighted LG Sinha’s commendable leadership spanning over three years in Jammu & Kashmir. Amidst challenges ranging from targeted killings to protests by Kashmiri Pandits and issues concerning the Gujjar/Bakerwal communities, Sinha’s role has been pivotal, especially in the absence of elected leaders in the region.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the LG has been spearheading infrastructure development in the region. The successful hosting of the G20 tourism group meeting in Srinagar adds another commendable achievement to his leadership.
“Sinha has been focused on effective administration during his tenure. His fortnightly feature, the “L-G Mulaqat”, has become popular among the people. The entire administration meets via video-conferencing and complaints submitted via the LG’s grievance cell are taken up for resolution,” IE stated in a brief introduction.
Right from his beginning, LG Sinha was optimistic and conducted DCC elections for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir in a peaceful manner to strengthen grassroots democracy.
Over the past four years, there has been an end to street violence, once a recurring issue, has now become a thing of the past. Terror incidents have declined in the region and the UT administration has launched a crackdown and its ecosystem.There has been improved coordination among security agencies for the positive changes, leading to the establishment of peace in the region.
In terms of development, LG administration has worked on multiple projects that includes the establishment of 2 AIIMS, 2 cancer hospitals, 7 medical colleges, IIT, IIM, NIFT, as well as various highway and tunnel projects valued at 1.50 lakh crore rupees.
Last year, Union Territory witnessed a boost in tourist footfall, with over 1 crore 88 lac tourists. This surge has opened avenues for livelihood for hotels, taxi drivers, shikara operators, and others, stimulating the J&K economy.
Over 3.20 lac pilgrims have paid their respects at the holy cave, and the cooperation of all sections of society, particularly Kashmiri Muslims, has been instrumental in making the Yatra a success.
Under the leadership of LG Sinha, cinemas have been reopened in Kashmir and now J&K has been the centre of attraction for filmmakers over the last couple of years.
With the improvement in the ground situation in the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir is again emerging as a favourite destination for filmmakers and about 300 films and serials in different languages have been shot in Kashmir after the launch of the new film policy by the J&K government about two years back.
With the filmmakers returning to Kashmir, J&K is again emerging as a favourite destination for film shooting after the launch of a new film policy in 2021. The era of the 1980s, when Hollywood and Bollywood films were shot in Kashmir, is returning.
He is also the pioneer behind the new industrial policy that has brought investments in the region. The golden period of industrial development of Jammu and Kashmir has been ushered in through the new Industrial Development Policy of the Prime Minister.
So far the Jammu and Kashmir government has received over 90,000 cr worth of investment proposals, and transforming these proposals into tangible reality will be a top priority of the administration.
LG Sinha recently said until 2021, private investments in the industrial sector of Jammu and Kashmir amounted to only Rs. 14000-15000 crore.
J&K Government has also received dozens of proposals for establishing health care projects in the two medi-cities of J&K. These include Dubai based businesses like EMAAR Group, Noon.com, Al Maya Group, GL Employment, MATU Investments and others.
In 2023, the UT admin approved the ‘Land to Landless’ scheme and stated that agricultural land cannot be purchased by non-domiciles, investments in industries, hotels, hospitals, educational institutions, and other infrastructure developments are highly encouraged.
Under the tenure of LG Sinha, over 30,000 vacant government jobs have been filled in the last three years, while over six lakh youths have been given technical and financial support to become entrepreneurs.
He also addressed the concerns of Kashmiri Pandits, assuring that the J&K government is committed to resolving their issues. Film shooting is now taking place in tourist destinations, and cinemas are reopening to boost the tourism industry in J&K.
LG Sinha also welcomed the extension of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari people and other communities in Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirmed that existing reservation benefits for Gujjar and Bakerwal communities wouldn’t be affected.
LG Sinha introduced a series of new initiatives in JK, including Polytechnics ranking portal, the JK Innovation Hub portal, Centralised Academic Monitoring & Improvement System, and implementation of a revised curriculum in line with the National Educational Policy 2020.
During the period of COVID, J&K was witnessing positive economic growth as compared to other states of the country. GST collections were better than the national average.
Kashmir will not only get connected with railways to Kanyakumari but also with highways. 1.50 lakh crore highway projects are underway in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier it would take 10-12 hours to reach Jammu from Srinagar now the same journey is taken in 5-7 hours, from Karta to New Delhi, new express highway is being constructed.
In 2020, only 36 flights were operating at Srinagar International Airport, today 136 flights are operating. Similarly, 12 flights were operating at Jammu airport, now 44 are operating. LG Sinha revolutionised connectivity in the region.
The railway network will be connected with the rest of the country this year and recently Kashmir’s first electric was inaugurated by PM Modi.
From the past 4 years, with the help of the central government, UT has focused on youth employment programmes and more than 6 lakh rural women have been associated with self-help groups.
Through a holistic development plan laid the foundations for a sea change in economic growth of the Union territory. This decade’s agriculture and horticulture sector belongs to Jammu and Kashmir.
Under this scheme apart from the budget, the administration will provide 513 Cr in next five years in these twin sectors. With this, it will also increase the GDP of J&K as more than 70 percent of the population is associated with horticulture and agriculture. Kashmir division is witnessing ‘Yellow revolution’ with oilseed crops registering a significant growth.
Under LG Sinha’s leadership UT has achieved a significant milestone and remarkable feat in e-governance by providing over 1028 services in online mode for citizens, institutions, and business establishments.
Under the Digital J & K programme launched in mission mode last year, the number of online services has increased exponentially from 35 services in 2019 to 1028 services as on date.
The two popular programs that were launched by LG administration to bridge the gap between government and people include ‘Back to Village and My Town My Program’.
Both programs were aimed for shortening the communication gap between the administration and the common masses. Administration arrives at the doorsteps of the common people to understand their grievances and address them on the spot.
LG Sinha is also known as ‘Vikas purush’ (leader involved in development). He is a three-time Lok Sabha MP and a seasoned Politician from Uttar Pradesh.
He became MP for the first time in 1996 and then in 1999 and 2014. During his third term in 2014, he was appointed as the Minister of State for Railways and in 2016 served as the Union Minister of State(Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Communication.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Extension of Scheduled Tribe status to Pahari people and other communities, ensuring inclusive development.
Significantly reduced street violence and decline in terror incidents
Successful implementation of industrial policies attracting investments worth over 90,000 crores.
Enhanced connectivity with completion of highway projects, reducing travel time between cities.
Expansion of flight operations at Srinagar & Jammu airports, revolutionizing regional connectivity.
Strengthening of agriculture and horticulture sectors, leading to a ‘Yellow revolution’ in Kashmir.
Successful hosting of G20 tourism group meeting in Srinagar
Introduction of “L-G Mulaqat” and fortnightly video-conference meetings for effective administration.
Significant progress in infrastructure development including AIIMS, cancer hospitals, and educational institutes.
Boost in tourist footfall, revival of film industry, & reopening of cinemas
Initiatives like ‘Land to Landless’ scheme and focus on employment for youth & women empowerment.
Achievement in e-governance with over 1028 online services launched under Digital J & K program.
Launch of programs like ‘Back to Village’ and ‘My Town My Program’ for grassroots engagement.
