WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: A Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has recommended the administration of Jammu and Kashmir to take more concrete steps towards providing employment opportunities to educated youth of the Union Territory.
The committee further suggested taking additional initiatives for implementation of self-employment schemes across various sectors to establish sustainable income generating ventures for unemployed youth.
The meeting of the committee was held on 21st February, 2025, it was informed by the officials of the MHA that the total expenditure incurred by all UTs under Demand No. 57-59 (UTs with Legislature) against the allocation made in RE 2024-25, has been 90.91%.
The UT of Delhi, J&K and Puducherry have spent 85.42%, 89.16% and 98.17% respectively, against the transfer made by the MHA to them during RE 2024-25.
The Committee is heartened to note that the tourists’ arrival in J&K for the last two years have increased manifold. The Committee takes notes of the steps taken for the development and promotion of tourism in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The Committee is of the view that the tourism and hospitality sector, apart from generating large revenue, is a major source of livelihood for the people of J&K by creating employment opportunities and boosting local businesses.
It also contributes towards regional and rural development of the UT. The Committee recommends that UT administration should chalk out a road map to take initiatives to position J&K as a world class tourism destination, improve the tourist experience and create sustainable economic opportunities for the local population.
Tap water connectivity in the rural areas of J&K, against a total number of 19.21 lakh households, 15.61 lakh households have tap water connections within their premises as on date and the remaining 3.60 lakh households shall be covered with the completion of all the on- going schemes which are at different stages.
As per Industrial policy of J&K 2021, The industrial landscape of the UT is dominated by MSME, and it plays a crucial role in propelling industrial growth and economy in UT as they contribute around 8% to the GSDP and employ the largest number of people in the manufacturing and services sectors.
There are around 7.10 lakh MSMEs in J&K with 99% of the units belonging to Micro category. Also, there are around 60 + large units established in the UT.
MSMEs that are operational in the UT contribute almost 60% of the total investment and 90% of total employment in industrial sector in the UT. It is thus imperative that MSME sector be further supported through policy interventions.
There were 2 policies in 2020 viz J&K industrial policy 2016 and J&K export policy 2018. In addition, now there are 14 new policies/schemes have been notified with an aim to attract investment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Government of J&K notified J&K startup Policy 2024-27. There has been increasing trend of 370% in the number of DPIIT registered Startups in J&K. From 237 startups in 2020 to 1058 startups as on date registered with 383 women led startups.
For three consecutive years—2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24—Jammu & Kashmir has consistently achieved the highest number of projects established under the PMEGP scheme, securing the No. 1 rank in India during these 3 years.
During FY 2022-23 J&K witnessed an investment realization of ₹ 2153.45 crores and employment of 15719. However, for FY 2023-24 J&K catapulted the investment realization to ₹ 3389.37 crores with employment of 29969, with a significant increase by 57%.
In FY 2024-25 investment realized on ground rose to ₹4145.59 Cr and employment generation to 11396. 396 units with investment of ₹9949 Cr and employment of 25,298 have completed
50% or more groundwork and are expected to come into production by March 2026. 64 existing industrial estates in J&K before introduction of New Industrial policy 2021 which were mainly saturated. 46 new industrial estates are being developed to attract industries and enhance job opportunities.
Mission Youth in 2020, aimed at creating employment opportunities and empowering the youth of J&K. This program encompasses number of customized schemes structured to provide employment opportunities to youth in various sectors for establishing sustainable self-employment avenues in various economic sectors including transport, agriculture, manufacturing, retail, fashion, education, health, banking and other financial service sector.
Implementation of Self Employment Schemes and monitoring of different Self Employment Schemes on weekly basis with the aim of involving more and more youth to become self- entrepreneurs and to contribute to the economy of both UT and the Country.
YUVA is a scheme in J&K that aims to create employment opportunities for the youth through entrepreneurship. This Programme is a watershed initiative for generating sustainable economic model for generation of the employment opportunities for the youth of J&K through entrepreneurship.
Project Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (YUVA) under which 1.35 lakh entrepreneurship units will be created and 4.5 lakh youth will be provided employment. The 60th Jubilee celebration of the World Craft Council (WCC), held in Srinagar and Delhi, serves as a mark of authenticity and recognition for the crafts of J&K. Srinagar is the 2nd city in India that has been recognized both as a ‘World Crafts City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC) and also designated as part of Creative City Network in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts by UNESCO.
