JAMMU, MARCH 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed the grants amounting Rs. 7050.86 lakh for Mining Department, Rs.108603.20 lakh for Industries and Commerce Department, Rs. 528374.63 lakh for Public Works Department, Rs. 35344.46 lakh for Labour and Employment Department and Rs. 22561.03 lakh for Skill Development Department.
The grants were passed after a daylong detailed discussion in the House.
Winding up the discussion on Demands for Grants, Deputy Minister, Surinder Choudhary, said that currently, the Public Works Department is maintaining an extensive road network of 40,000 km with priority to provide high-quality roads and connectivity to the last unconnected village. However, maintaining such vast infrastructure requires continuous investment and strategic planning, he added. “The department is making every possible effort to ensure that the roads built with public funds stand the test of time. In 2025-26, we are targeting 4,000 km of road blacktopping under various schemes such as PMGSY, Cities & Towns, CRIF and NABARD, significantly improving travel conditions for the people of J&K”, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the department receives funding from three main sources; Centrally Sponsored Schemes like PMGSY and CRIF, NABARD Loan Assistance and UT Sector Funding for roads and bridges. “Through PMGSY, which started in 2001, we have successfully connected 2,132 out of 2,140 identified villages, laying down 17,585 km of roads and constructing 210 bridges at an investment of ₹10,939 crore. The remaining work will be completed by 2025-26. Under PMGSY Phase II and III, we have upgraded 1,927 km of roads and constructed 9 bridges, while the remaining 505 km of roads and 64 bridges will be completed soon”, he elaborated.
To further strengthen the rural connectivity, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government of India has approved PMGSY-4 (2024-29), which will connect habitations with 250+ population as per the 2011 Census. This included special provisions for tribal-majority villages and Aspirational Districts. “A survey conducted through advanced technology has identified 2,508 road alignments and we are actively preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to secure approval for over 1,000 new projects in 2025-26”, he added.
“Under the CRIF scheme, 294 projects worth ₹ 4,337 crore have been sanctioned by the Ministry for Road Transport and Highways, out of which, 194 have been completed including crucial road links like Koteranka-Khawas, Magam-Beeru and Khanabal-Pahalgam roads. Several important bridges are also under construction including 2,000-meter bridge over River Chenab at Indri Pattan Pargwal, a 270-meter bridge at Ramban and a 445 meter bridge over River Ujh at Jothana” the Deputy Chief Minister maintained.
While referring to NABARD, the Deputy Chief Minister said that it remains an essential source of funding for rural road and bridge construction. Currently, 1,098 projects have been sanctioned under NABARD and 213 projects have already been completed in 2024-25, marking the highest ever achievement for the department in a single year, he added.
“The macadamization and resurfacing of roads remain a priority under UT Sector Funding. In 2024-25, we have already blacktopped 3,251 km of roads including 1,610 km of roads in cities and towns, with a final target of 4,000 km. Alongside roads, bridges are equally important for connectivity and 153 bridges are under construction with a total cost of ₹ 569 crore. So far, 83 bridges have been completed including the Gundbal Foot Bridge in Srinagar, Akhal Bridge in Kangan and Najwal Samba Bridge, with several others including Qamarwari Bridge in Srinagar which is nearing completion” the Deputy Chief Minister informed the House.
“The department is not only focusing on construction but also implementing modern reforms to improve efficiency and quality. The introduction of an Online Management & Payment System has enabled real-time project monitoring and direct contractor payments, reducing delays and increasing transparency” he added. The J&K PWD Manual 2021 has been updated after several decades to include the latest engineering practices, he maintained.
“The Road Maintenance Policy 2021 ensures timely upkeep, preventing early deterioration of roads. A Two-Tier Quality Control Mechanism has been introduced for strict monitoring and third-party inspections are now mandatory for all major projects”, the Deputy Chief Minister said. He added that the Macadamization and Defect Liability Enforcement ensures that contractors are accountable for maintaining roads for a specific period after construction. Additionally, the J&K Road Gazette-2022 has documented all roads systematically and Online Contractor Registration has been implemented for better transparency.
To attract businesses, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government has introduced 14 policies and schemes that provide financial support, tax benefits and land for industries. “A major initiative, the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) 2021, was launched with ₹ 28,400 crore to help industries set up and grow. This scheme offers investment incentives, tax relief and interest support. The response has been positive—971 industrial units have been approved, bringing in ₹ 10,471 crore of investment and creating 51,897 jobs” he added.
“Jammu and Kashmir’s industries are mainly driven by small and medium enterprises which provide highest employment in the region. There are 7.10 lakh MSMEs in J&K, of which, 4.47 lakh have been registered on the Udyam Portal. This sector contributes 8% to economy of J&K and employs 90% of the people working in the industrial sector. Supporting MSMEs further will help create more local jobs and boost the economy”, he maintained.
To provide more space for industries, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is building 46 new industrial estates in addition to the 64 existing ones. These estates will be ready from March 2025 onwards and will bring more businesses and jobs to J&K. He said that land for 15,994 additional industrial plots has also been identified for future development.
Referring to investment in industries, the Deputy Chief Minister said that in 2023-24, investments worth ₹ 3,389 crore were made creating 1,46,317 jobs, which is a 57% increase from the previous year. He added that in 2024-25, 381 new units have started production, adding ₹ 3,887 crore of investment and 10,715 more jobs. Over the past five years, 2,031 industrial units have started operations, bringing in ₹1 0,516 crore and employing 65,982 people, he elaborated.
He said that the Single Window Portal, where businesses can apply for approvals online, has received 8,537 applications, so far, proposing ₹ 1.69 lakh crore in investments and the potential to create 6.06 lakh jobs.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Handloom & Handicrafts sector is backbone of J&K’s economy, employing 4.22 lakh artisans who make world famous products like Pashmina shawls, Kashmiri carpets, Basohli paintings, walnut wood carvings and embroidery items.
“To protect and promote these crafts, the government has introduced QR code based certification, allowing the buyers to verify the authenticity of J&K’s handicrafts. Ten handicrafts including Pashmina, Kani Shawls and Sozni Embroidery have received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. More eight crafts are in the pipeline while eleven new crafts are set to be registered in 2025-26”, he maintained.
Referring to export of J&K’s handicrafts, the Deputy Chief Minister said that these have doubled post COVID, in 2023-24 exports crossed ₹1,162 crore compared to ₹563 crore in 2021-22. He said that J&K has also improved its national Export Promotion Index ranking from 35th in 2020 to 17th in 2022, showing strong growth in trade and business.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that J&K’s startup ecosystem is booming with the number of registered startups growing from 237 in 2020 to 1,011 today recording a 326% increase. Out of these, 373 startups are being led by the women. Additionally, over 1,600 startups have been registered with the EDI. Many startups are now receiving funding from the investors, proving the strength and potential of local entrepreneurs, he added.
“The New Startup Policy 2024-27, launched in February 2024, provides seed funding, venture capital, patent assistance, mentorship and infrastructure support to new businesses. A ₹250 crore Venture Capital Fund has been set up with ₹25 crore initially infused by the government to support startup growth” he maintained.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is helping J&K improve infrastructure planning. He said that J&K ranks 3rd in the country for mapping infrastructure data on the national platform, making it easier to plan new roads, industries and projects efficiently. Besides, about 50 projects worth over ₹3,000 crore have already been mapped, he added.
Under the RAMP scheme, supported by the World Bank, ₹305 crore have been set aside to help small businesses grow, improve digital financing and market local products, the Deputy Chief Minister said. He added that the government has also approved two PM Ekta Unity Malls, one in Srinagar (₹130 crore) and one in Jammu (₹125 crore), where J&K’s handicrafts and products will be sold under one roof.
“J&K is the first to fully integrate its Single Window Portal with the National Single Window System, allowing businesses to get approvals faster. Under the Business Reform Action Plan 2022, J&K has achieved 97% compliance, making it one of the top performers in India. The Incentive Calculator on the J&K Single Window Portal has been recognized as a best practice by the Government of India in 2023-24” he informed.
To improve governance in the mining sector, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the implementation of an e-auction system has made the allocation of mining blocks more transparent and competitive. Additionally, procedural reforms under the Ease of Doing Business initiative have simplified the process of obtaining mining leases and approvals, making it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to participate in legal mining activities.
“The government has also placed significant emphasis on encouraging the local industries and small-scale mining operations, thereby creating employment opportunities and boosting economic growth. Environmental compliance remains a top priority with strict regulations in place to mitigate the impact of mining on forests, rivers and biodiversity” he said.
“In order to address illegal mining activities, the government is addressing these issues by integrating modern technology into the sector. Advanced surveillance techniques including drone monitoring, GPS tracking and real-time digital supervision are being employed to curb illegal activities and promote responsible mining”, maintained the Deputy Minister.
To tackle the issue of illegal mining, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government has established Multi-Departmental District-Level Task Force Cells, headed by the respective Deputy Commissioners, with District SSPs as key members. He said that, additionally, Divisional Level Flying Squads have been created to conduct surprise inspections and enforce legal measures. Besides, penalties for illegal mining have been made stringent with first-time offenders being fined ten times the cost of the mineral extracted illegally, along with additional fines and royalties. For repeat offenders, the penalty increases and seized vehicles or machinery used in illegal mining are held for at least seven days before the release, he added.
“The government has also intensified its crackdown on illegal mining operations. In 2024 alone, 4,040 vehicles and machines involved in illegal extraction were seized and 153 FIRs were registered against the offenders. As a result of these strict measures, ₹10.12 crore have been collected in penalties, further reinforcing the administration’s commitment towards eliminating illegal mining and ensuring compliance with environmental laws”, the Deputy Chief Minister maintained.
“The department has made substantial progress in formalizing mining activities. So far, 202 mining leases have been granted through e-auctions while 08 leases have been allocated to the Public Sector Undertakings (JKPCC and JK Minerals). Additionally, 06 mining leases have been sanctioned on private lands, along with 03 quarry licenses on private properties and 01 cluster quarry on state land. A total of 23 quarry licenses have also been issued for the government projects. To meet the demand for construction materials, the department has provided short-term and disposal permits to the government companies and traditional communities engaged in customary mining practices. These initiatives have contributed to revenue generation, with a record collection of ₹130 crore in 2024”, the Deputy Chief Minister maintained.
To bring further transparency in the mining sector, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government has introduced e-Challan system to track the movement of minerals from the source to their final destination, reducing opportunities for illegal transportation. Moreover, an e-Market web portal has been launched enabling the consumers to purchase minor minerals at government-notified rates, ensuring fair pricing and eliminating black-market activities, he added.
He added that a significant step towards enhancing surveillance is the upcoming Mine Surveillance System, developed in collaboration with the BISAG. This system, successfully implemented in other states for major minerals, is now being customized for the unique requirements of Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen real-time monitoring, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the department has also intensified efforts to boost revenue generation through auctions of minor mineral blocks. He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (JKEIAA) has already approved the District Survey Reports in nine districts while reports for the remaining districts are under review and will soon be submitted for approval.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government has focused on addressing unemployment, which remains a major challenge due to the limited presence of large industries in J&K. He said currently, 3.77 lakh unemployed youth are registered with the District Employment & Counselling Centres. “To provide better career opportunities, the department is engaged in registration of unemployed individuals, career counselling, coaching, job awareness fairs and skill development training. A new initiative, Mission Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (YUVA), is all set to be launched to support the young entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities” he added.
Recognising the importance of entrepreneurship, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government has planned Mission YUVA, a landmark initiative that aims to create 1.37 lakh new enterprises and generate 4.5 lakh jobs over the five years. He said that to ensure its success, a detailed survey was conducted across J&K, covering 23.64 lakh households and 1.1 crore individuals, using a tech-enabled approach. “The findings will help in identifying potential entrepreneurs, understanding skill gaps and designing better training programs. In the upcoming financial year, 27,400 new enterprises are expected to be created, generating 85,000 jobs” he maintained.
“The J&K Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board was established to protect the rights of construction workers, ensure their safety and provide financial assistance for their well-being. During February 2025 alone, 4,236 new workers were registered under the board and in the current financial year, 44,988 workers have been added. A total of ₹5,903.25 lakh has been disbursed among 70,323 beneficiaries under various welfare schemes. The board ensures all payments are made through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, ensuring transparency and efficiency” the Deputy Chief Minister added.
“A 24×7 helpline named “SHRAM MITRA” is being set up in Jammu and Srinagar to address worker’s grievances. Additionally, the Night Shelter (Labour Sarai) project is being developed in Budgam, Anantnag and Pulwama, where land has already been identified and construction will begin soon, the Deputy Chief Minister informed.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that one of the major achievements of the Skill Development Department is that 83 trade units, previously affiliated only with the State Council for Vocational Training, are now being recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). He said this change makes 1800 additional students eligible for the National Trade Certificate (NTC), which is valued worldwide. Now, 50 out of 53 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in J&K are NCVT-affiliated and more than 9,000 ITI trainees have been successfully migrated to the Skill India Digital Hub Portal, he added.
“To boost employment opportunities, placement drives were organized in various polytechnics, where 15 companies visited and 261 students received job offers. The department also conducted two Industry-Academia meets, one in Jammu and the other in Kashmir, to strengthen collaboration between the educational institutions and industries. Under the Hunar-se-Rozgar Program, over the last two years, more than 1,000 candidates have been trained in short-term programs at the Food Craft Institute (FCI) Jammu, with 75% of them securing jobs”, the Deputy Chief Minister informed.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government ITI Srinagar has been upgraded to a Model ITI, where existing trades such as Electrician, Digital Photography, Tourist Guide, Computer Hardware & Network Maintenance, Electronics Mechanics, Refrigeration & AC Technician, Welder, Diesel Mechanic, Plumber and Health & Sanitary Inspector have been modernized. Additionally, new trades such as Solar Technician (Electrical), Smartphone Technician cum App Tester and IoT Technician (Smart City) have been introduced to keep pace with evolving industry demands, he added.
“The department has also established four ICT labs under the STRIVE scheme, which have helped in the training and capacity building of 396 officers. Alongside, modern infrastructure and updated curriculum are being introduced in polytechnic colleges under the Central Sponsored Scheme (CSS) “Setting up of New Polytechnics”, the Deputy Chief Minister informed.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that under the SANKALP initiative, 2,867 candidates have received skill training through the District Skill Committees and 700 women have been trained under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program in collaboration with Central University Jammu and University of Kashmir. Certification for training programs at FCI Jammu has also been made QR-code based, making it one of the few institutions in India to adopt this system, he added.
“Jammu and Kashmir has excelled under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, with 1,18,296 out of 1,34,535 registered beneficiaries successfully trained, making J&K the second-ranked region in the country under this scheme. Additionally, under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), thousands of youth have been trained and certified in skill development programs” he added.
Looking towards the future, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Food Craft Institute Jammu is set to be upgraded to the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), allowing it to offer a three-year degree in Hotel and Hospitality Administration. He said that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has committed Rs. 11.75 crore to this project while the J&K government will contribute Rs. 10.79 crore.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that a new initiative focused on global employment opportunities is also being launched in collaboration with NSDC International to provide specialized training for overseas jobs. Additionally, 3,000 women from Self-Help Groups will be trained in entrepreneurship to improve their financial status.
“To further promote modern education in ITIs, 12 new-age courses such as IoT, Smart Healthcare, Milk & Dairy Processing, Baker Confectioner, Solar Electrician, Electric Vehicle Mechanic and Data Annotation will be introduced in the next financial year with an allocation of Rs. 13.90 crore, informed the Deputy Chief Minister.
The cut motions on Demands for Grants were later withdrawn by the Legislators.
Legislators, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Mian Mehar Ali, Surjit Singh Salathia, G.A.Mir, Ali Mohammad Dar, Ghulam Mohiudin Mir, Darshan Kumar, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Nizamuudin Bhat, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Showkat Ahmad Ganie, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, Chander Prakash Ganga, Saifudin Bhat, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Mehraj Malik, Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Pyare Lal Sharma, Shakti Raj Parihar, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra, Er. Khurshid Ahmad, Javid Ahmad Mirchal, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Vikram Randhawa, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Irshad Rasool Kar, Pawan Gupta, Irfan Hafiz Lone, Sheikh Khursheed, Arjun Singh Raju, Javid Ahmad Choudhary And Baldev Raj Sharma spoke during the discussion on Demand for Grants and raised issues of their respective constituencies.
Later, the House passed the Demand for Grants moved by the Deputy Chief Minister by voice-vote.
