LG Manoj Sinha participates in 6th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog
Urges Srinagar, Jammu Be Opened To Regular Commercial International Flights
Jammu: Asserting that his government is aimed to take Jammu and Kashmir’s export worth from Rs 1400 crore to Rs 5000 crore in the next two years, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Saturday requested that the twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu be opened to regular commercial International flights to give a boost to tourism and trade.
Sinha made these remarks while speaking at the 6th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, through virtual mode, an official spokesperson said Saturday. During the meeting, he said, the LG highlighted major reformative measures taken by the UT administration, besides apprising the meeting about the new trajectory that the newly carved UT has undertaken in the past 17 months.
“After 5th August 2019, Jammu & Kashmir got new opportunities of socio-economic development that were not there for many decades. J&K is passing through a period of transition for development, peace and prosperity. Today, among the people of Jammu & Kashmir, there is an outlook of hopeful optimism,” Sinha said, as per an official spokesperson.
While making suggestions for giving further push to the developmental process in Jammu and Kashmir, the LG, he said, requested the Government of India for considering the demand for setting up of Dry Port in J&K with a customs clearance facility to increase the trade within and outside the Country.
He said that to give a boost to tourism and trade in J&K, the LG requested that Srinagar and Jammu be opened to regular commercial International flights.
“The Lt Governor observed that the UT Government is aiming to take J&K export worth from Rs 1400 cr to Rs 5000 cr in the next two years. Air Cargo capacity for J&K needs to be enhanced to enable easy transportation of perishable items,” the LG said, as per official spokesperson.
He further said that Sinha requested for simplification of certain permissions under Water Act and Air Act, 1981 along with clearances and reduction of time period from 4 months to 30 days so that clearances can be obtained easily and in a short time for setting up industrial units.
The LG, he said, also suggested for setting up Regional Office of MoEF in J&K for speedy disposal of Environment Clearances cases for larger projects.
“He also suggested that the Government of India may consider specific product based funding programs. National Saffron Mission has succeeded because of it focus on one product. Infrastructural projects need to be devised considering the needs of 20-25 years from now. New road construction technology like cold mix plant and use of pre-fabricated bridges could be promoted to reduce the construction time-period,” Sinha said.
Speaking on the Economic reforms, the official spokesperson said that the LG observed that the existing industrial landscape is being transformed into futuristic, profitable and sustainable ecosystem, leading to livelihood generation, better education, skill development and better quality of life.
“From job creation to entrepreneurship, we are going to make J&K a model of Industry 4.0, the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Government is working on promoting institutional readiness, increasing entrepreneurship and attracting investments. The multiplier effect of industrial transformation will be felt across the entire length and breadth of the UT,” the LG said, as per the official spokesperson.
“New Industrial Development Scheme, with an outlay of Rs.28,400 Crore, has been approved by the Government of India for encouraging investment in manufacturing and service sectors in J&K, which will help in stepping up economic development in Jammu & Kashmir,” he added.
The official spokesperson further said that underscoring the important interventions made by the J&K government for execution for the languishing projects, the LG said that JKIDFC, a model which NITI Aayog has commended as a best practice, has approved 2367 projects worth Rs. 7125.49 crore so far.
“On health sector, the Lt Governor observed that J&K Government is spending 2.86 % of its budget in the Health sector which is more than the national average. Upgradation of health infrastructure and improving healthcare services has led to an overall improvement in the key health indicators in J&K,” HE SAID.
Speaking on priority sectors, Sinha, as per the official spokesperson observed that J&K is heavily relied on agriculture sector and tourism sector.
“We plan to introduce automation IOTs, cloud computing to create smart factories to supplement existing trades, imaging sensors in orchards, smart logistics for improved margins and smart manufacturing for increased revenue making opportunities,” the LG said, as per official spokesperson, adding that on Education sector, Sinha said that from this session, education will be imparted in all 5 official languages, besides Bridge course is being initiated to meet the study loss due to COVID pandemic.
The LG also said that translation of local folklores and those of other states for cultural exchange and understanding is being done, he added.
“The Lt Governor also spoke on AB-PMJAY SEHAT Scheme, J&K’s performance in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), G.I. tagging of Kashmiri Saffron, promotion of Basmati Rice, High Density Plantation and Aspirational Blocks in Jammu and Kashmir,” the official spokesperson said.
Sinha, he said, also thanked the Prime Minister for announcing a new Gas Pipeline Project in Budget 2021 for the development of J&K.
“With the efforts of the Central Government under the guidance and leadership of the Prime Minister, the country has been transformed into a hub of Start-ups and innovation. I strive to bring the same development in J&K,” the LG said, as per official spokesperson.
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