SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday laid out a roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir’s long-term development, calling for short-term, data-backed district-level planning as the foundational step toward achieving the vision of a “Viksit J&K” by 2047. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Planning, Development & Monitoring Department at the Civil Secretariat, Abdullah stressed that granular, measurable goals tailored to local conditions would drive meaningful transformation across the Union Territory.
The meeting, which brought together top officials including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, and Principal Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, along with representatives from NITI Aayog, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and all Deputy Commissioners via video conferencing, focused on key tools being used to guide developmental planning. Presentations were made on the Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Centre (SDGCC), District Domestic Product (DDP), and the District Good Governance Index (DGGI).
Abdullah emphasised that the overarching 2047 vision must not eclipse the need for measurable progress in the near term. “What we now require is targeted district-level planning — identifying where the potential lies and where gaps need to be filled. These short-term objectives will cumulatively guide us toward our long-term goal of Viksit Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the success of Mission Yuva and insights from the DGGI must now be translated into responsive sectoral planning across departments. He urged administrative units to reorient their schemes based on emerging data and evolving local needs. “These findings must improve our planning and programmes. I urge all line departments and district administrations to reorient their schemes in a manner that addresses the issues highlighted by both data sets,” he added.
Rejecting the idea of competitive rankings, Abdullah said the DGGI should be used as a diagnostic tool to strengthen governance. “Districts that have shown strong performance must continue to lead by example, while those that lag must be supported to identify structural gaps and implement reforms,” he said. He urged that any systemic constraints be flagged to the Secretariat for immediate resolution.
On Jammu and Kashmir’s national standing, he noted the UT’s tenth-place rank across states as a strong signal of progress, even though its second rank among Union Territories offered a more limited comparison. “We’re holding our ground, but we must do better,” he said.
Abdullah also called for continuity in the use of performance benchmarks. “Once we have established a template, we must not tinker with it. Changing the goalposts — be it benchmarks or data methodology — renders year-on-year comparisons meaningless,” he remarked.
The day’s deliberations were underpinned by new data released by the SDGCC in its comprehensive progress report on Jammu and Kashmir’s advancement toward the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report highlights exceptional achievements in poverty reduction, healthcare, education, and clean energy.
According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index Progress Report 2023, the UT’s poverty headcount ratio fell from 12.56 per cent in 2015–16 to 4.80 per cent in 2019–21, meaning more than one million people rose out of poverty. This decline outpaced the national average and was attributed to the effective implementation of schemes like PMAY, MGNREGA, and Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT.
Healthcare indicators showed sustained improvement, with institutional delivery rates nearing 100 per cent in several districts and immunisation coverage for infants reaching 85 per cent. Tuberculosis case detection and treatment outcomes also aligned with national targets, according to the Health and Medical Education Department.
In the education sector, the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher secondary education climbed to 78 per cent, with Gender Parity Indices nearing 1.0. Retention rates improved sharply, and digital infrastructure saw a major boost, with 70 per cent of schools now equipped with computers and internet connectivity.
Jammu and Kashmir also emerged as a leader in renewable energy. Solar capacity has tripled since 2020, accounting for 15 per cent of the UT’s electricity generation. Rural connectivity improved significantly, with 95 per cent of habitations now linked by all-weather roads, and 100 per cent of households electrified under the Saubhagya Scheme.
Nonetheless, the report did not overlook persistent challenges. Urban sanitation, waste management, and low female labour force participation — currently at 25 per cent, below the national average — were flagged as key areas needing urgent intervention. The report also urged greater investment in climate resilience infrastructure, especially in light of the UT’s vulnerability to floods and landslides.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the technical support provided by NITI Aayog and the UNDP, and called for enhanced cooperation. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. If something works well in another state, let us adapt it here. Likewise, if we are doing something commendable, let that be shared nationally for wider benefit,” he said.
He also released four major reports during the meeting: the District Domestic Product J&K Report 2022–23, the District Good Governance Index 4.0 J&K Report 2023–24, the J&K Sustainable Progress Report 2022–23, and the District Progress Report 2022–23.
Concluding the session, Omar Abdullah reiterated that the road to Viksit J&K 2047 lies through consistent, data-backed interventions at the grassroots. “Let us approach our goals step by step — start with targeted short-term interventions at the district level, scale up to territory-wide strategies, and ultimately work towards the overarching vision of Viksit Jammu & Kashmir 2047,” he said.
