Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium on Thursday, with the aim of boosting the agri-economy in Jammu and Kashmir.
This was PM Modi’s first trip to Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
PM Modi attended the “Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir” programme at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, where he announced multiple projects related to agriculture and tourism. He dedicated the ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Programme’ (HADP), valued at about Rs 5,000 crore, to the nation.
What is HADP?
HADP is an integrated programme that spans across the entire range of activities in the three key sectors of the agri-economy, namely Horticulture, Agriculture, and Livestock husbandry in Jammu and Kashmir.
This move aims to provide skill development to approximately 2.5 lakh farmers through the specialised Daksh Kisan portal. As part of the program, around 2000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars will be set up, and robust value chains will be established for the benefit and well-being of the farming community.
The initiative is expected to generate employment, benefiting numerous marginal families in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nationwide Tourism Projects
The Prime Minister also launched nationwide projects worth more than Rs 1,400 crore related to the tourism sector under the “Swadesh Darshan” and “PRASHAD” (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes. These include a project for the integrated development of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.
In an effort to create world-class infrastructure and amenities for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Hazratbal Shrine, and to enhance their holistic spiritual experience, the project ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ has been implemented.
Key components of the project include site development of the entire area, construction of the shrine’s boundary wall, illumination of the precinct, improvement of ghats and devri paths, construction of a Sufi interpretation centre, tourist facilitation centre, installation of signages, multilevel storied car parking, construction of a public convenience block, and entrance gateway of the Shrine, among others.
PM Modi also launched the “Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll” and the “Chalo India Global Diaspora” campaign. He announced tourist destinations selected under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme.
The campaign, based on the Prime Minister’s call, encourages Indian diaspora members to inspire at least five non-Indian friends to travel to India. With more than 3 crore overseas Indians, the Indian diaspora can act as powerful catalysts for Indian tourism, serving as cultural ambassadors.
The Prime Minister dedicated 52 projects to the nation, including tourism facilities developed in the Northeast circuit in Meghalaya, spiritual circuits in Bihar and Rajasthan, Rural and Tirthankar Circuit in Bihar, and the development of Jogulamba Devi Temple in Jogulamba Gadwal District, Telangana, and Amarkantak Temple in Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh.
Additionally, PM Modi distributed appointment letters to nearly 1,000 newly-recruited government employees in Jammu and Kashmir.
(With ANI inputs)