LG Sinha Addresses J&K Assembly, Outlines Vision for Growth, Statehood Restoration and Development
Jammu, Mar 03 (KB): Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed Jammu and Kashmir on eve of presentation of Budget 2025-26. Sinha outlined the government’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and inclusive development.
LG Sinha highlighted the significant strides in infrastructure, including the recent inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel and progress on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which have drastically reduced travel times. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is nearing completion, poised to enhance regional connectivity. Efforts to link remote villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and expand air connectivity through upgraded airports aim to bridge urban-rural divides and boost tourism and trade.
The government, Sinha, as per news agency Kashmir Bulletin, emphasized advancements in healthcare, with AIIMS Jammu and Kashmir nearing operational status and the expansion of critical care services, including telemedicine and dialysis centers. Over 15 lakh free treatments under the Ayushman Bharat SEHAT scheme have saved patients ₹2,765 crore in out-of-pocket expenses. In education, initiatives like smart classrooms, skill development programs, and upgrades to institutions such as IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu aim to position the region as an educational hub.
Schemes targeting women, youth, and marginalized communities took prominence. Over 29,000 Lakhpati Didis have been empowered through entrepreneurship programs, while 9 lakh citizens benefit from social safety nets, including pensions and nutrition support. Affordable housing projects under PMAY and efforts to rehabilitate Kashmiri migrants reflect commitments to inclusivity. Additionally, reservations for Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in local governance aim to strengthen grassroots democracy.
LG Sinha underscored that renewable energy projects, including hydropower initiatives and solarizing 80,000 households, exhibit Jammu and Kashmir’s shift toward sustainability. Digital governance reforms, such as the e-Unnat portal offering 1,100 online services and digitized land records, aim to enhance transparency and public access.
Regarding, cultural heritage and tourism revival, Sinha said efforts to preserve cultural landmarks like the Mubarak Mandi Palace and promote heritage tourism align with record-breaking tourist visits in 2024. The annual Amarnath Yatra’s eco-friendly management and improved infrastructure were highlighted as models of balanced spiritual and ecological stewardship.
Reaffirming the government’s dedication to democratic principles, Sinha stressed the importance of press freedom, timely local body elections, and participatory governance. He acknowledged the public’s aspiration for full statehood, pledging continued dialogue with stakeholders to achieve this goal peacefully.
Concluding his address, Sinha called for unity across political lines to realize Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a “beacon of peace, progress, and prosperity.” The budget, he stated, symbolizes a collective resolve to uplift every citizen while honoring the region’s rich legacy and diverse aspirations. (KB)
