Srinagar, Mar 23 : Maintaining that the Government of India (GoI) is taking appropriate steps for the betterment of Kashmir and Kashmiris, the Ministry of Home Affairs Tuesday said that several steps have been taken including the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP)
The information was shared by Minister of State (MoS) Home Affairs GK Reddy in response to the question including the steps being taken by the Government for the betterment for the Kashmiris and Kashmir.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the MoS Home Affairs, GK Reddy as per news agency— said that the Government is fully committed for the overall development of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and has taken several steps in this regard.
Highlighting the steps taken, the MoS said that accelerating implementation of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) that was announced on 7th November 2015 at a cost of Rs 80,068 crore.
“Out of 63 projects pertaining to 15 ministries, 54 projects are being implemented in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 58,627 crore and the remaining in the Union Territory of Ladakh,” he said.
“These include major projects relating to road, power, health, education, tourism, agriculture, rehabilitation schemes for Kashmiri migrants, skill development sectors etc,” the MoS said.
“Out of 54 projects, 20 projects have been completed /substantially completed, and remaining 34 projects are at various stages of implementation,” Reddy said.
The MoS said that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has set-up Jammu & Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC) to raise loans up to Rs 8,000 crore for completion of nearly 6,000 projects that were languishing for years.
“2,367 such projects have been approved with an amount of Rs 7125.49 crore and 800 projects worth Rs.997.27 crore have already been completed,” the MoS said.
Reddy informed that all the flagship schemes of the Government of India including individual beneficiary centric schemes are also being proactively implemented in UT of J&K.
He said that the Central government has approved a new Industrial Development Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir with an outlay of Rs 28,400 Crore to boost industrial activity while nurturing existing industries as well.
For setting up of new Industrial estates in J&K, he said that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has created a Land Bank of 29,030 kanals during 2020-21.
Reddy informed that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved business revival package of Rs. 1,352.99 crore on 25th September 2020.
He said that the new Wool Processing, Handicrafts and Handloom Policy 2020 has been adopted for promotion and development of Handicrafts and Handloom sector.
“The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved a new Financial Support Scheme to the tune of Rs 1 lakh for each Cooperative/Self Help Group in the Handicrafts and Handloom sector,” he informed. “The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved a new Credit Card scheme for providing a loan of Rs 2 lakh for Artisans/Weavers with interest subvention of 7 percent for five years.”
Reddy also said that MoU has been signed under ‘Samarth Programme’ to promote online sale of genuine Handloom and Handicrafts products directly by Artisans/Weavers. Under the Central Sector scheme ‘PRASAD’, construction of tourist interpretation centre at Dargah Hazratbal has been completed, he said.
He said that Jammu ropeway has been completed and Phase-II of Jammu Ropeway from Mahamaya to Baghe-Bahu section has also been commissioned.
“To boost industrial growth, a total number of 456 MoUs amounting to Rs 23,152.17 crore have been signed with potential investors since the creation of UT of Jammu and Kashmir,” the MoS said in the reply—(KNO)
