By Sohail Khan
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said that Jammu and Kashmir is all set to become power surplus in coming four years. He said that the budget announced for the Union Territory is aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to J&K with real development on ground.
“Since 1947, all successive regimes could generate only 3450 MWs of power and we are on the path of generating the same amount of power in the next four years only to make J&K a power surplus UT,” he said, while addressing a presser in Jammu.
On March 17, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Rs 1.42 lakh crore J&K budget for year 2022-23 that will cover all sections and sectors.
Sinha said that the Horticulture and tourism will be of prime focus.
The budget 2022-2023 reflects the needs and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with immediate goal to accelerate the pace of economic development and make it multi dimensional.
The budget is primarily a growth oriented budget and in line with the endeavors of the UT Government to double it’s economy in the next few years.
“Tourism has been the backbone of J&K’s economy and we will once again ensure that the tourism sector reaches the same height where it was a few decades ago,” the LG told reporters.
According to the highlights of the budget the GDP for the year 22-23 has been projected at Rs 203716 Cr which shows a growth of 7.5%.
The focus areas in the budget are Good governance, Deepening grass root democracy, accelerating development and inclusive growth, facilitating investment business and industrial development, infrastructure development for improving quality of life, employment, youth initiatives and women empowerment and broadening social inclusion.
The initiatives for the good governance 2022-2023 also include E audit to be introduced with strengthening of virtual inspection system and E offices to be introduced in all offices.
“World’s highest rail bridge in Chenab Valley will connect Kashmir with Kanyakumari,” Sinha said, adding that the Power Department will install six lakh smart metres in Srinagar and Jammu cities with three lakh in each district.
The budget hughlights document says that 1500 villages are being taken under ‘One beat guard one village’ for greening of lands outside forests.
1.35 crore plantations are targetted for the year 2022-2023 and a non motorable walk way is proposed around Wular Lake.
The document says that around 20000 chinar trees will also be planted.
It also says that old age homes shall be constructed in all the districts of the UT Jammu and Kashmir, while 8000 meritorious tribal students shall be given tablets.
