NITI Aayog highlights sectoral gaps and growth opportunities; focus on jobs, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, agriculture and sustainable urban development
Srinagar, August 26:
Dr. M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog, along with a team of senior officials from NITI Aayog, called on Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar. The NITI Aayog delegation comprised Shri Anurag Goyal, Senior Adviser; Shri Subhash Chandra Meena, Economic Adviser; Dr. Muniraju S.B., Deputy Adviser; Dr. Shobith, OSD (Health); and Sumaiya Yousuf, Innovation Lead, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog.
During the meeting, Dr. M. Srinivas and the NITI Aayog team presented a comprehensive assessment of the development landscape of Jammu Kashmir, highlighting achievements, key sectoral gaps and possible interventions for accelerating the socio-economic development of the Union Territory. The assessment covered major sectors Human Resources Development, Creating Economic Opportunities and Infrastructure Development.
The delegation highlighted the need to improve GER and learning outcomes in school education and to Strengthen industry–academia linkages and employment opportunities in higher education. Dr. M. Srinivas, Member NITI Aayog appreciated enhanced opportunities for medical education in the UT while highlighting the concerns regarding rising metabolic and NCD burden in UT. In agriculture and allied sectors, emphasis was placed on reduction of post-harvest losses, enhancing cold-chain and processing infrastructure, livestock services, value-chain development and stronger market linkages.
For accelerating economic growth and employment generation, NITI Aayog suggested focusing on industrial clusters, strengthening MSMEs and employment-intensive manufacturing, improvement in logistics and export infrastructure, promotion of green mobility and development of a stronger innovation and start-up ecosystem in the UT. The presentation also highlighted measures for sustainable urban development, including improved water security, sewage treatment and expansion of public transport.
The tourism potential of Jammu Kashmir was also discussed, with emphasis on improving last-mile connectivity and visitor amenities, promoting border, eco, rural, homestay, and MICE tourism. NITI Aayog further highlighted the importance of timely completion of connectivity projects, improved water conservation and irrigation infrastructure, and greater utilisation of renewable energy potential, particularly through decentralised solar energy and PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the comprehensive sectoral assessment and shared the significant development initiatives undertaken in Jammu Kashmir in recent years. He observed that the Government of India and the Jammu Kashmir UT Administration are working together towards the vision of “Viksit Jammu Kashmir”, with sustained emphasis on infrastructure creation, improved public service delivery, employment generation, investment and inclusive socio-economic development.
The Lieutenant Governor suggested that NITI Aayog may undertake a focused assessment and identify actionable measures for improving the ecological sustainability of the Dal Lake in Srinagar. He also emphasised the need to examine the factors besides land acquisition, that contribute to delays in major development and infrastructure projects in Jammu Kashmir and suggest institutional, administrative and implementation measures for ensuring their timely and effective completion.
Dr. M. Srinivas assured the Lieutenant Governor that NITI Aayog would continue to work closely with the J&K UT Administration and relevant Ministries of the Government of India to facilitate appropriate policy interventions, promote inter-sectoral convergence and support the UT in addressing any issues identified. The discussions underscored the importance of a coordinated and outcome-oriented approach to fully harness Jammu Kashmir’s potential and accelerate its journey towards Viksit Jammu Kashmir and Viksit Bharat @2047.