SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday attended the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where he outlined the Union Territory’s development priorities and sought greater central support for infrastructure, tourism, health and energy projects.
The meeting, held on the theme “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047”, brought together chief ministers and senior representatives from across the country to discuss long-term development strategies.
Addressing the Council, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir’s development trajectory had been shaped by public preference for peace, democracy and progress, and stressed that true development must be measured by improved living standards and expanded opportunities.
He highlighted key achievements in education and healthcare, including the establishment of IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu and AIIMS Jammu, the expansion of medical colleges from three to ten, and skill training for over 90,000 youth under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
The Chief Minister noted that despite difficult terrain and scattered habitation, the Union Territory has shown improvements in social indicators. He called for development financing frameworks to account for geographical challenges and urged the extension of the SASCI “Pride of Hills” Special Development Assistance on par with other hill states.
Abdullah also presented Mission YUVA as a major employment and entrepreneurship initiative, stating that it has mapped potential across 24 lakh households and identified over 5.5 lakh prospective entrepreneurs, contributing to growth in the startup ecosystem.
On the economic front, he cited record tourist arrivals of 2.36 crore in 2024, the impact of the Rs 5,000-crore Holistic Agriculture Development Programme benefiting more than 6.5 lakh farmers, and the role of around 8.5 lakh MSMEs in employment generation.
He further highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s hydropower potential of 14,867 MW and stressed the need to strengthen the JK–Centre joint venture model beyond 2028. The Udhampur–Srinagar railway line, he said, remains a crucial all-weather connectivity link supporting the region’s apple economy.
Among key demands, the Chief Minister sought extension of the SASCI “Pride of Hills” package, expansion of hydropower partnerships, approval of ten new tourism circuits under a Rs 5,500-crore plan, promotion of medicinal and aromatic plant sectors, augmentation of rail services ahead of the apple season, and establishment of medical colleges in eight districts currently without such facilities.
He also submitted proposals relating to handicrafts development and disaster resilience. Abdullah concluded by reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, stating that the region seeks stronger partnership to convert its resources and human potential into sustainable growth.
