Progressing J&K
Several key interventions made in Education, Tourism, Industrial sectors to boost growth, economy
Jammu and Kashmir administration is creating a system that serves everyone with equal opportunities besides endeavours to mobilise all the resources to improve the standard of living of people which have been deprived of progress for decades. Several interventions were made in the education sector of the Union territory in the last there years, and efforts were being made to provide quality education to children. Educational system of the UT has been overhauled and aligned as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy, 2020. Through ‘Aao School Chalein Campaign’, lakhs of students from disadvantaged sections have been brought back to the class rooms. With a view to provide quality education to the youth in remote areas of the UT, 25,000 additional seats at graduate level have been provided by setting up 50 degree colleges. This is the biggest addition in the Higher Education sector in the last 70 years. Uniform academic calendar has been introduced in all higher educational institutions. The present LG-led administration is giving prime focus on the education of Tribal children which can be gauged from the fact that the department of tribal affairs, for the first time, initiated an exercise to assess the state of education viz a viz tribal education and literacy levels prevalent among the tribal population. Based on such surveys, a comprehensive education plan was formulated to address specific educational needs of tribals besides efforts are being made by Education department to upgrade the educational institutions across J&K. The priority of present Government is to secure the future of tribal children. Smart schools in tribal and remote areas are being equipped with modern facilities which can develop scientific temper in children and make them future-ready, besides arresting the dropout rate. The prospects for the tribal community in Jammu and Kashmir are bright as a number of schemes have been launched for its benefit. Never before have tribal community prospects been as bright as they are today. The Forest Rights Act, PM Van Dhan Yojana, healthcare, transport facility, hostels, tourist villages, skill development – every initiative has been aimed at ensuring progress of J&K in an equitable, fair and just manner. Every sector in Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a trajectory of growth and progress. Regarding the tourism sector, Millions of tourists who visited Jammu and Kashmir this year, testify the overall development and change that has taken place in the Union Territory as the current year touched the highest-ever visitor figure. The long-pending demand of night-flight operations of the residents of Jammu and Kashmir has been fulfilled. 75 offbeat tourist destinations are being developed in Jammu and Kashmir as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. Jammu and Kashmir has been a favoured shooting destination for Bollywood. A comprehensive Film Policy was launched last year to attract film-makers after decades and within a year of the notification of the policy, film-makers began to seek shooting permissions for films and web-series in huge numbers from the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), nodal department for implementation of Film Policy. Government is planning to launch a film studio with state-of-the-art facilities to provide new opportunities to the young talent of Jammu and Kashmir besides boosting the business ecosystem of the Union Territory. The Centre deserves credit for overseeing this very welcome industrial and economic resurgence that is dramatically changing J&K since the latter half of 2019. In the last two years, investments from India and abroad have facilitated a sharp improvement in development and socio-economic parameters. Major initiatives have allowed for strides to be taken in key sectors that drive the development engine. J&K is well on its way to becoming one of India’s leading UTs. Development benefits were not allowed to reach the last man in the queue. By removing divisive and discriminatory policies all sections of community have been made effective partners in process of development. For women empowerment, Government is making proactive intervention to create facilities to encourage women’s participation in governance, business, and other sectors. A gender-inclusive ecosystem in the union territory is being created so that women have a better access to education and economic growth. J&K government is creating an ideal, gender-inclusive ecosystem where they have better access to education and economic growth, putting them at the heart of our development initiatives and making those on the margins aware of their rights. Government is stressing on proper implementation of policies and the need to focus on skill training and re-skilling of women so that they have an equal share in future economic opportunities, an official said. Meanwhile, due to seriousness of Government, an overwhelming response was received for investment under recently announced new Industrial Policy which will create lakhs of employment opportunities for the youth. As per the policy, all Industrial units coming into commercial production from April 1 as well as the existing units undertaking substantial expansion shall be entitled for incentives under this policy while the existing units eligible for incentives under the erstwhile Industrial Policy 2016 shall be allowed to avail the same under the old policy till March 31, 2026. The government would act as facilitator rather than regulator. All UT related services, consents and permissions required to set up and operate an industry in J&K are being provided through Single Window Portal.
