350 posts for Kashmiri Pandits to be filled under PM package this year: J&K L-G Manoj Sinha

Jammu, February 11

Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that 350 out of the total 6,000 posts under PM package for Kashmiri Pandits (KP) would be filled this year.

The L-G — during a press conference — said that the completion of construction of 1,500 flats as transit accommodation for Kashmiri Pandit employees would also be completed during 2024-25.

He said that Rs 1,067.61 crore under Revenue and Capital expenditure for 2024-25 has been allocated for relief and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.

“Budget 2024-25 reflects the needs and aspirations of the people of J&K and commitment of the UT Administration for peace, progress and prosperity. The immediate goal is to accelerate the pace of economic development in the UT and make it multi-dimensional,” said the L-G.

20 offbeat tourist destinations to be developed

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said development of infrastructure and basic amenities in 20 offbeat tourist destinations, 10 each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions would be done

The size of the budget for 2024-25 is Rs 1,18,728 crore as against Rs 1,18,500 crore in 2023-24.

The tax/Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio for 2024-25 has been projected at 7.84 per cent which is just higher than previous year’s 6.56 per cent.

The L-G informed that the total receipts in respect of Vote on Account for part of financial year 2024-25 are estimated at Rs 59,364 crore, excluding the provision for ways and means advances of Rs 16,568 crore. These receipts include Rs 48,930 crore as revenue receipts and Rs 10,434 crore as capital receipts.

“The own revenues — both tax and non-tax — are estimated to be Rs 15,158 crore,” he said.

Rs 18,639 crore is to flow as central assistance and Rs 8,424 crore as CSS/ PMDP to Jammu and Kashmir. The total net expenditure is estimated to be Rs 59,364 crore. This includes the estimated capital expenditure of Rs 19,283 crore and the estimated revenue expenditure of Rs 40,081 crore.

Manoj Sinha informed that the focus areas this year would include good governance, strengthening grassroots democracy, promoting holistic and sustainable agriculture, promoting J&K as an investment destination, employment generation, developing new tourism destinations, accelerated development and inclusive growth, women empowerment and social inclusion.

The J&K Government will also take multiple e-governance initiatives. E-office will be extended in all the offices and panchayats, physical verification units to be established at Jammu and Srinagar, revitalisation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Viability Gap Fund (VGF) cell in the Finance Department and PM Gati Shakti to be fully implemented.

The L-G said that the emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IOT) would be implemented for effective delivery of services to the citizens by Information Technology Department.

Sinha said that 2,000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs) would be established for providing facilities to the farming community at their doorstep. “Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project in Jammu and Kashmir to be implemented with a $100 million loan from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The goal of the project is to contribute to the sustained increase in income of rural households by improving the competitiveness of farming operations,” he said.

Two cancer institutes at Jammu and Srinagar will be made fully operational during 2024-25. 100 per cent screening of 30+ age population for hypertension and diabetes will be conducted. Dialysis services will be strengthened at 16 existing facilities and 10 new health facilities.

The L-G informed that development of infrastructure and basic amenities in 20 offbeat tourist destinations, 10 each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions would be done. Keran will be developed as border tourist village.

Grand entry gate will be constructed at Lakhanpur to showcase and emphasise the major destinations within J&K.