SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has submitted proposals for three hostel projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) for 2026-27, even as the Union Government received 176 proposals from States and Union Territories for new hostel projects, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
The proposals are part of a wider demand for hostel infrastructure under PMJVK, with Odisha accounting for the highest number at 78, followed by Jharkhand with 35, Karnataka and Manipur with 11 each, and Sikkim with 14.
According to the State-wise details placed before the House, JK’s three proposed hostel projects are among the proposals received by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for 2026-27. Kerala, the State specifically referred to in the parliamentary question, has submitted proposals for six hostel projects.
Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said 64 hostel projects had been sanctioned under PMJVK during the last five years.
PMJVK is a Centrally Sponsored scheme aimed at creating community infrastructure in Minority Concentration Areas in sectors including education, health, skill development, women-centric initiatives, drinking water and sanitation, sports and renewable energy.
The Ministry clarified that the assets created under PMJVK are intended to benefit the entire population of identified Minority Concentration Areas, rather than being restricted exclusively to minority communities.
The implementation, operation and maintenance of sanctioned hostel projects are the responsibility of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, the Minister said.
However, the Centre also informed Parliament that PMJVK is presently approved only up to March 31, 2026, raising uncertainty over the consideration and sanctioning of the 176 hostel proposals received for 2026-27.
The proposals received from other States and Union Territories include 14 in Sikkim, 11 each in Karnataka and Manipur, four each in Tamil Nadu and Tripura, three each in Nagaland and Punjab, two each in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Himachal Pradesh, and one set of proposals from several other participating regions.
The Government’s response came in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4063 concerning the construction and functioning of hostels for minority students.
