New Delhi, Jun 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday sought greater investment and institutional support for Jammu and Kashmir.
The CM participated in the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi.
The meeting was convened on the theme ‘Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047.’
Addressing the council, CM Omar outlined Jammu and Kashmir’s development journey and presented a set of priority proposals aimed at strengthening human development, economic growth and infrastructure.
He emphasised that the true measure of development lies in expanding opportunities and improving the quality of life for every citizen.
The CM observed that the people of J&K had overwhelmingly chosen peace, democracy and progress, creating a strong foundation for sustained development.
He highlighted significant advances in higher education, healthcare and skill development, including the operationalization of IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu and AIIMS Jammu, the expansion of medical colleges from three to ten, and the training of more than 90,000 youth under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal VikasYojana.
Highlighting the challenges posed by difficult terrain and dispersed habitations, he said that J&K has continued to register strong social indicators, with improvements in healthcare, education and social protection.
He emphasised that development financing frameworks must adequately account for geographical disadvantages and urged the extension of the SASCI “Pride of Hills” Special Development Assistance to J&K on the same principles applicable to other hill States.
The CM also highlighted Mission YUVA as a transformative initiative to promote entrepreneurship and employment.
He said that the programme has mapped entrepreneurial potential across 24 lakh households, identified over 5.5 lakh prospective entrepreneurs and contributed to a sharp rise in the number of registered startups.
Referring to the growing diversification of J&K’s economy, he cited record tourist arrivals of 2.36 crore visitors in 2024, the impact of the Rs 5000-crore Holistic Agriculture Development Programme benefiting over 6.5 lakh farmers, and the contribution of nearly 8.5 lakh MSMEs to local employment and economic activity.
On infrastructure and energy, the CM highlighted J&K’s vast hydropower potential of 14,867 MW and underscored the importance of strengthening the J&K-Centre Joint Venture model beyond 2028 to fully harness the resources of the Chenab and Jhelum river basins.
He also described the Udhampur–Srinagar railway as a critical all-weather connectivity corridor and a vital lifeline for the region’s apple economy.
The CM sought the Centre’s support for extending the SASCI “Pride of Hills” package to Jammu and Kashmir; strengthening and expanding the J&K-Centre hydropower partnership; approval of 10 new tourism circuits under a proposed Rs 5500-crore tourism development plan; institutional partnerships for the promotion of medicinal and aromatic plants, apples and wool; augmentation of railway services ahead of the apple season; and establishment of Government Medical Colleges in the eight districts that currently lack such facilities.
Additional proposals relating to handicrafts and disaster resilience were submitted separately.
The CM reaffirmed J&K’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
He said that J&K seeks partnership and convergence to transform its resilience, resources and human potential into a stronger contribution to national growth and development.
