SRINAGAR: NITI Aayog Member Dr M. Srinivas on Wednesday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan here and discussed key development priorities and measures to accelerate the socio-economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Srinivas was accompanied by a team of senior NITI Aayog officials, including Senior Adviser Anurag Goyal, Economic Adviser Subhash Chandra Meena, Deputy Adviser Dr Muniraju S.B., OSD (Health) Dr Shobith and Innovation Lead, Atal Innovation Mission, Sumaiya Yousuf.
During the meeting, the NITI Aayog delegation presented an assessment of Jammu and Kashmir’s development landscape, highlighting achievements, sectoral gaps and possible interventions. The assessment focused on three broad areas—human resource development, creation of economic opportunities and infrastructure development.
The delegation called for improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio and learning outcomes in school education besides strengthening industry-academia linkages and employment opportunities in higher education.
On healthcare, Dr Srinivas appreciated the enhanced opportunities for medical education in Jammu and Kashmir while flagging concerns over the growing burden of metabolic and non-communicable diseases.
In agriculture and allied sectors, the NITI Aayog team stressed the need to reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen cold-chain and processing infrastructure, improve livestock services and value chains and establish stronger market linkages.
To accelerate economic growth and employment generation, the delegation suggested greater focus on industrial clusters, strengthening of MSMEs and employment-intensive manufacturing, improved logistics and export infrastructure, green mobility and a stronger innovation and start-up ecosystem.
The assessment also covered sustainable urban development, with emphasis on water security, sewage treatment and expansion of public transport.
Tourism was another key area of discussion. The delegation stressed improving last-mile connectivity and visitor amenities and promoting border, eco, rural, homestay and MICE tourism.
NITI Aayog also highlighted the need for timely completion of connectivity projects, improved water conservation and irrigation infrastructure and greater utilisation of renewable energy, particularly through decentralised solar power and the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the comprehensive assessment and apprised the delegation of major development initiatives undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.
He said the Government of India and the J&K administration were working together towards the vision of “Viksit Jammu Kashmir”, with continued focus on infrastructure development, improved public service delivery, employment generation, investment and inclusive socio-economic growth.
Sinha suggested that NITI Aayog undertake a focused assessment of the ecological sustainability of Dal Lake and identify actionable measures for its improvement.
He also called for examining factors beyond land acquisition that contribute to delays in major development and infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir. He suggested that institutional, administrative and implementation measures be identified to ensure their timely and effective completion.
Dr Srinivas assured the Lieutenant Governor that NITI Aayog would continue to work closely with the J&K administration and concerned Union ministries to facilitate policy interventions, promote inter-sectoral convergence and help address issues identified during the assessment.
The meeting underscored the need for a coordinated and outcome-oriented approach to harness Jammu and Kashmir’s potential and advance its development goals under the broader vision of “Viksit Jammu Kashmir” and “Viksit Bharat @2047”.
