SRINAGAR:Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that all five lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir living in ‘kuchha’ houses, will be provided ‘pucca’ houses after physical verification.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given me the task of providing pucca houses to poor people under the PM Awas Yojna. A new survey in Jammu and Kashmir found that five lakh families lack permanent housing. After conducting physical verification, I assure you that no one will live in a kuchha house in Jammu and Kashmir,” Chouhan said addressing a function here.
The minister also launched 330 new road projects covering 1,600 km at a cost of Rs 3,550 crore under the Batch-II of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). These roads will benefit 363 remote habitations in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that both the “doors of the heart” and the “doors of Delhi” are open for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir, as he conveyed a message of development and goodwill from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address in Srinagar.
Chouhan said he had not come with the ego of a minister, but as a servant of the people, describing public service as “worship of God.” He recalled noticing a chair different from others at the venue and said he was not at ease until it was replaced with a similar one, symbolising equality.
He said the government’s focus was not only on building infrastructure but also on strengthening emotional bonds with the people. “Once we extend a hand of friendship, we will not withdraw it,” he said, adding that under Modi’s leadership, efforts will continue to improve lives and bring happiness to people.
“For a developed India, we need a developed Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, stressing that the Union Territory’s progress is integral to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”
Highlighting infrastructure development, the Minister said that Rs 8,000 crore worth of rural roads have been sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir in a single year. He noted that the first and second phases of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana were approved for the Union Territory before other states, and urged the administration to ensure timely execution, assuring that more projects would be sanctioned.
On women’s empowerment, Chouhan said more than two lakh women in Jammu and Kashmir have become “LakhpatiDidis,” earning over Rs 1 lakh annually. He also announced that over Rs 4,000 crore has been released for Self-Help Groups across states and Union Territories to promote women-led livelihoods and economic independence.
Turning to housing, he said a recent survey has identified nearly five lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir without permanent homes. He assured that after physical verification, every eligible family would be provided a pucca house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Chouhan also addressed the challenges faced by farmers, noting that most in the region have small landholdings and limited resources. He said the government is committed to increasing farmers’ income through targeted interventions.
He announced a comprehensive push for agriculture and horticulture through an integrated farming approach, encouraging diversification into livestock, fisheries and beekeeping along with traditional crops.
Referring to issues faced by orchard growers, he said many farmers suffered losses due to poor-quality planting material. To address this, he announced a Rs 100 crore Clean Plant Programme to develop advanced nurseries in collaboration with institutions.
He said financial support will be provided for setting up nurseries, with smaller units receiving around Rs 2 crore and larger ones up to Rs 4 crore, ensuring availability of high-quality saplings.
The Minister further said that a team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research will be sent to Jammu and Kashmir to study its agro-climatic conditions and prepare a detailed roadmap for suitable crops and fruit varieties.
Calling for coordination between the Centre and the Union Territory administration, he said both governments must work together to implement these initiatives effectively. “We will support farmers at every step. Our aim is to increase your income and improve your lives,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the region’s potential, Chouhan said, “I am saying this not just in words but from my heart—within a few years, we can transform the entire landscape here and improve the destiny of the people.
