Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting in Jammu to assess the progress of development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, and welfare delivery.
The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials from both the Central Government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
During the review, Shah undertook a comprehensive assessment of key sectors, including road infrastructure, power, industry, tourism, 4G and optical fibre connectivity. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India remains firmly committed to building a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the pace of development in the region, Shah said that sustained and dedicated efforts by the Centre have led to unprecedented progress in ongoing projects. He stressed the need to fully harness Jammu and Kashmir’s hydropower potential and called for focused efforts to ensure 100 percent saturation of government welfare schemes so that the benefits reach all intended beneficiaries.
Referring to tourism, the Home Minister said the enthusiasm of visitors from across the country to travel to Jammu and Kashmir remains strong. He emphasised the need for aggressive marketing of the Union Territory’s tourist destinations in other states to further boost footfall and said the Centre would provide all possible support for developing new tourist destinations.
Shah also underscored the importance of youth engagement through sports, calling for the development of sports infrastructure and the establishment of sports academies. In this regard, he said efforts would be made to mobilise around ₹200 crore in investment by engaging with various sports bodies.
He further directed officials to promote the dairy sector in Jammu and Kashmir through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), describing it as a key area for rural economic growth.
In a significant development, Shah noted that Jammu and Kashmir has been brought under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for the first time in the financial year 2025–26. This will enable the Union Territory to access 50-year interest-free loans for capital projects. He added that strengthened fiscal discipline would help stabilise the UT’s fiscal deficit over time.
The Home Minister said India is steadily moving towards the goal of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, marking 100 years of Independence, and reiterated that the Centre would continue to extend full support to Jammu and Kashmir in achieving this vision.
He said his visit reflected the Government of India’s resolve to prioritise development, peace, and security in Jammu and Kashmir.
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