SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art multi-purpose indoor sports complex at Government Degree College (GDC) Tangmarg and a new block of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Gulmarg, underscoring the government’s focus on youth development, healthcare and infrastructure.
The indoor sports complex, developed at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore under the CAPEX budget, is equipped with facilities for badminton, table tennis, carrom and billiards. The project aims to promote sports culture and ensure year-round engagement of youth, particularly during harsh weather conditions.
Interacting with students after the inauguration, the Chief Minister also participated in indoor games, drawing enthusiastic response from the gathering. He earlier launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan signature campaign on the campus, urging students to contribute towards building a drug-free society.
Addressing the event, Abdullah emphasised the role of youth in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that sustained development in the region would depend significantly on their participation. He highlighted the financial strain on families due to the absence of private universities in the Union Territory, noting that students spend an estimated Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 crore annually on tuition fees outside the region.
The Chief Minister said the government has already cleared the legislative framework to allow private universities in Jammu and Kashmir and will soon invite reputed institutions to establish campuses. He added that, given its natural advantages, Kashmir has the potential to emerge as a premier education hub attracting students from across the country.
He also outlined key government initiatives for youth empowerment, including free bus travel for women, expanded recruitment drives and support for entrepreneurship under the Mission Yuva programme. He said the government aims to generate between 20,000 and 25,000 jobs this year while facilitating access to loans for young entrepreneurs with the government acting as guarantor.
Highlighting the importance of indoor sports infrastructure, Abdullah said such facilities are crucial in regions like Tangmarg, where outdoor activities are often limited due to prolonged winters and frequent rainfall.
Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated a newly constructed block of the PHC at Gulmarg, built at a cost of Rs 203.80 lakh under CAPEX. He inspected key sections of the facility, including the OPD, emergency unit, pharmacy, X-ray section and wards, and reviewed healthcare services for residents and tourists.
Minister for Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah and Tanvir Sadiq, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Commissioner Secretary Ram Niwas, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla SF Hamid, and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
