Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting in Jammu to assess the progress of development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, the Union Home Minister undertook a comprehensive review of key sectors including road infrastructure, power, industry, tourism, 4G and optical fibre connectivity. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials from the Centre and the UT administration.
Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India remains firmly committed to the vision of building a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. He said that due to the sustained and focused efforts of the Modi government, development projects in the Union Territory have recorded unprecedented progress.
The Union Home Minister stressed the need to fully harness the hydropower potential of Jammu and Kashmir and directed officials to ensure 100 per cent saturation of Central government welfare schemes. He underlined that the benefits of all development projects must reach the intended beneficiaries without delay.
Referring to the tourism sector, Shah said that the enthusiasm of tourists from across the country to visit Jammu and Kashmir continues to remain strong. He called for aggressive promotion of tourist destinations in other states to further unlock the region’s tourism potential, adding that the Centre would extend all possible support for the development of new tourism destinations.
The Union Home Minister also emphasised the importance of developing sports infrastructure and establishing sports academies to engage youth in constructive activities. He said efforts would be made to mobilise investment of around ₹200 crore in collaboration with various sports bodies. He further directed that steps be taken to promote the dairy sector in the Union Territory through the National Dairy Development Board.
Highlighting a key fiscal development, Shah said Jammu and Kashmir has been brought under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme for the first time in the financial year 2025–26. This will enable the UT to access 50-year interest-free loans for capital projects, he said, adding that improved fiscal discipline would help stabilise the UT’s fiscal position over time.
Shah said India is steadily moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, marking 100 years of independence, and reiterated that the Government of India will continue to provide full support to Jammu and Kashmir in this journey. He said the government remains resolute in making development, peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir a national priority.
