by Raashid Andrabi
SRINAGAR: In a comprehensive statement submitted to the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted the measures taken for the development of the newly formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The statement, provided by Minister of State Nityanand Rai, detailed the various initiatives taken by the government to promote growth, progress, and social welfare in the region.
Local Governance
In the wake of the constitutional changes, the Government of India ensured that all Central laws were applied to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Nityanand Rai said. “Additionally, 205 state laws were repealed, and 130 state laws were modified and implemented. This historic move enabled the people of Jammu and Kashmir to access various benefits and rights that were enjoyed by citizens in other parts of the country.”
In a step towards strengthening local governance, the region saw the establishment of a duly elected 3-tier Panchayati Raj System, comprising elected representatives at the village, block, and district levels. Both Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies have been empowered through the transfer of Funds, Functions, and Functionaries, following the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Indian Constitution, Rai emphasised.
Hydropower Potential
Rai informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that out of the 20,000 MW hydropower potential, J&K had been able to tap only 3,500 MW in 70 years. However, in the last few years alone, projects for about 3,000 MW capacity have been revived and put on track.
In a written reply, he also mentioned that an MoU was executed between NHPC and JKPDC on January 3, 2021, regarding the execution of various hydroelectric projects. These projects include Kirthai-II 930 MW Hydro Electric Project (HEP) through the Joint Venture Company CVPPPL, Stage II of Uri-I 240 MW HEP, Dulhasti Stage-II 258 MW HEP, and 1,856 MW Sawalakot HEP by NHPC on BOOT basis.
He further added that the significant hydropower projects include Kiru – 624 MW with a cost of 4,287.59 crores and 19.05 percent physical progress, Kwar-540 MW with 4,526.12 crores and 5.89 percent physical progress, Ratle-850 MW with 5,281.94 crores and 8.64 percent physical progress, and Pakaldul-1000MW with 8,112.12 crores and 35.58 percent physical progress.
“The successful completion of 100 percent electrification under the SAUBHAGYA scheme ensures ‘last mile connectivity’ and universal household electrification. Additionally, the launch of the Smart BS application empowers consumers by providing them easy access to their consumption and billing records,” the minister said.
Industries
In response to another question, he stated that the Government of India has notified a New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on February 19, 2021, with an outlay of Rs. 28,400 crores to boost industrial development.
Various policy initiatives have been taken by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, including the J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30, J&K Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30, J&K Private Industrial Estate Development Policy 2021-30, and J&K Wool Processing, Handicrafts, and Handloom Policy 2020. These policies aim to make the Union Territory an investor-friendly destination.
He added that these initiatives have led to the receipt of investment proposals worth Rs. 80,000 crores with an employment generation potential of more than 3.5 lacks. “During 2022-23, an investment of Rs. 2,153 Crore has been materialised, employing more than 11,000 persons. This has significantly boosted the local economy and increased employment opportunities through enhanced investment,” he said.
“The G.I registration of products has been initiated to authenticate Handicrafts & Handloom Products. Eight crafts viz carpet, Pashmina, Sozni Embroidery, Khatamband, Walnut Wood Carving, Paper Mache, Kani Shawl, Basohli painting have been G.I Tagged. Moreover, 9,235 carpets and 20,126 Pashmina Shawls respectively have been GI Tagged. Common Facilitation Centres (CFCs) are being set up at Samba and Kathua at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.76 crore for the promotion and development of bamboo craft,” he added.
Large Scale Recruitment
Nityanand Rai also informed the Rajya Sabha that after the formation of the UT, a large-scale recruitment drive has been carried out and the Government of J&K has filled 29,295 vacancies.
“Recruiting agencies have advertised 7,924 vacancies and examinations in respect of 2,504 vacancies have been conducted,” he said in a written reply to a question.
“Employment generation has been given a priority during these years. Unemployment Rate (Usual Principal Status) in J&K declined to 5.2 percent,” the Union Ministry said.
Healthcare
Rai informed Rajya Sabha that J&K has introduced the ‘SEHAT’ universal health insurance scheme, offering a health cover of Rs 5 lakh to every household in the Union territory, with 82.22 lakh beneficiaries registered under the scheme, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for 100 percent families.
“J&K has launched a universal health insurance scheme under the name ‘SEHAT’ in which every household in the Union territory has been provided with a health cover Rs. 5 lacks. 82.22 lakh beneficiaries have been registered so far under the scheme. Coverage to 100 percent families/beneficiaries in J&K to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure,” he said in a written reply to a question.
“Digital interventions such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, Ambulatory services, e-sanjeevani, Tele-Radiology, Telemedicine, Tele-X-Ray, Tele-CT, Scan and Share, Chatbox and Tele-Manas,” he said.
“Health care delivery is being enhanced by way of expanding medical education and setting up of new institutions i.e. 2 new AIIMS, 07 new medical colleges, 02 cancer institutes, and 15 nursing colleges. Out of these, 5 new medical colleges, 11 nursing colleges, and 2 cancer institutes are operational. AIIMS Jammu and AIIMS Kashmir are in progress. The intake capacity of MBBS has increased from 500 to 1,100 over 08 years in Government medical colleges of the UT,” he said.
“PG seats have been increased from 513 to 637 and that of PG dental from 24 to 48. 282 DNB seats have been added and BSc Nursing seats enhanced to 610 and 590 BSc. Paramedical seats added,” the Union Ministry said.
About improvement in public service delivery and health indicators, he said that the neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) reached a single digit of 9.8 recording a 13.3 points decrease. “Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dipped down to 16.3 with a decrease of 16 points,” he said.
“UT has achieved the global target of reducing Under-5 mortality rate and 100% immunization for children in the age group of 9-11 months. Institutional deliveries increased to 97% (as per HMIS,” he added.
Education Reforms
Union Minister of State for Home also informed Rajya Sabha that since 2019, significant developments have taken place in the education sector of the erstwhile state, with 49 new degree colleges established, IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu functioning, digital classrooms implemented, and the adoption of the ‘School Complex System’ to enhance learning outcomes.
Also, more than 8 lakh students receive the cost of uniforms and over 5.50 lakh students receive free textbooks annually. “Uniform Academic calendar- J&K implemented a Uniform academic calendar across the UT, which is justified by the logic that students of the winter zone had to waste six months to seek admission to different courses in the country where the academic session, starts from March-April,” the minister said in a written reply.
This, he said, has led to a significant rise in the number of teaching days, and the academic calendar was brought to par with the rest of the country. “School complex system- J&K has adopted a ‘School Complex System’ with the intent to improve the academic standard in schools. The objective is to utilize the resources at Complex (Cluster level), for maximum output and which shall also enhance the learning outcomes. 746 Complexes are identified and stand notified,” he added.
“Cost of Uniform is provided to more than 8 lakh students through DBT mode every year and free textbooks are provided to more than 5.50 lakh students every year,” the minister said, adding that Samiksha- Performance Feedback of Teachers by Students J&K has developed an App namely SAMIKSHA, for the performance appraisal of the teaching faculty by the students.
About Higher Education, he said that the number of Government degree colleges in the erstwhile state was 96 (including 2 engineering colleges) whereas, after 2019, 53 more degree colleges (including 2 engineering colleges) have been sanctioned out of which 49-degree colleges (including 1 engineering college) have been established and made functional.
“IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu started functioning from their campus. More than 1260 conventional classrooms have been converted into digital classrooms in colleges,” he added.
On vocational education, he said that under the Academia-Industry partnership, TATA Technologies has established two centres for Innovation, Invention, Incubation and Training (CIIIT) at Govt. “Polytechnic Boys, Jammu, and Govt. Polytechnic, Baramulla. MoU signed with Ashok Leyland involving two ITIs viz: Budgam & Kathua for upgradation of training facilities in the automobile sector,” the minister said.
Infrastructure
The government, through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), has completed the construction of 6,912 Km of roads in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years, Nityanand Rai said. He also highlighted the black-topping of an additional 19,096 km’s of roads during the last four years in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rai further detailed the progress made under various initiatives for the development of the region. “The daily average rate of macadamisation has increased from 8.57 km’s per day till 2019 to 15.75 km’s per day during 2023. In addition, 302 bridges have been constructed during the last four years, connecting previously unconnected habitations. Furthermore, 875 projects worth Rs 3,639 Crore have been sanctioned under NABARD,” Rai added.
Addressing the improved connectivity to the Kashmir valley, Rai mentioned the opening of six road tunnels on NH-44, including the 8.45 km’s twin tube tunnel between Qazigund and Banihal. This development has significantly reduced the average travel time from Jammu to Srinagar from 8-10 hours to 5-6 hours, leading to a decrease in logistical costs for goods and services to the valley.
Rai also provided an update on the ongoing projects under the National Highway Development Programme, which includes the upgrading of 5 expressways, ring roads for Jammu and Srinagar cities, 10 major and 11 other tunnels, 33 flyovers, and bypasses to 18 major towns.
