Srinagar, Apr 28: Calling Jammu and Kashmir as ‘duniya ka swarg (paradise on earth)’ Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday announced Rs 8,000 crore rural push for the Union Territory.
Chouhan launched PMGSY-IV (Batch-II), announcing a wide-ranging rural transformation plan for the Union Territory.
Addressing the gathering at SKICC here, the Union Minister opened up his speech in a familiar tone saying: “Mama ka sabko namaskar aur pranam,” setting an informal and personal connection with the audience.
He said he had not come with any ministerial pride or protocol but purely in the spirit of public service. “I have not come with the ego of a minister. I have come only for public service,” he said.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said: “Duniya ka swarg yahin hai” (this is heaven on earth), adding that the region always draws him emotionally and personally.
Chouhan said road connectivity remains the backbone of development and without it, progress remains incomplete. “Without roads, development remains incomplete,” he said, adding that in several remote areas patients are still carried on shoulders due to lack of road access.
He said PMGSY-IV (Batch-II) marks a major milestone in bridging rural connectivity gaps in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also announced that nearly Rs 8,000 crore worth of rural development projects have been sanctioned for J&K within a year, calling it a ‘major achievement’.
In major welfare announcement, the Union Minister said no poor family will be left without a permanent house. “No poor person in Jammu and Kashmir will remain without a house. Everyone will get a permanent home,” he said.
Chouhan said women empowerment remains central to development strategy and Self-Help Groups will be further strengthened. “My sisters should not have tears in their eyes. They should live with dignity and pride,” he said, adding that rural women entrepreneurs will be supported at every level.
Highlighting agriculture as the backbone of the rural economy, he said Jammu and Kashmir has small and fragmented landholdings that require scientific intervention. “As Agriculture Minister, I know land holdings here are small. We will increase farmers’ income,” he said.
He announced promotion of integrated farming systems combining agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, livestock and beekeeping to increase income from multiple sources.
“We will promote integrated farming so farmers can earn from multiple activities together,” he said.
Chouhan said horticulture productivity in J&K needs improvement and stressed the need for high-quality planting material. “We need good plants. Earlier apple and walnut plants were not of good quality,” he said.
He also announced a Clean Plant Programme in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir University to produce certified and disease-free planting material, along with development of modern nurseries.
He announced that a team of ICAR scientists will be deputed to Jammu and Kashmir to study soil, climate, water resources and agricultural potential. “They will prepare a scientific roadmap for agriculture and horticulture development in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Chouhan said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are highly talented and capable of achieving global success if given opportunities. “The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are highly talented. If given opportunity, they can excel globally,” he said.
He said, “We are not outsiders. We are your family. Do not call us chief guest—we are part of your home.”
Pertinently, under PMGSY-IV (Batch-II), road projects worth Rs 3,566 crore were approved as part of a larger rural connectivity package of nearly Rs 8,000 crore. A Rs 4,568 crore Mother Sanction under DAY-NRLM was also released for women Self-Help Groups across 24 States and Union Territories. (KNO)
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