Srinagar, Apr 27 (KNO): Asserting that no village in Jammu & Kashmir will be left behind in the race for development, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced a mega package for the Union Territory, including Rs 4,568 crore rural livelihood funding, 330 new roads, housing assistance and major horticulture initiatives.
The Union Minister began a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. During his visit he will launch various development projects.
Addressing a press conference here, Chouhan, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the progress of Jammu & Kashmir and wants every remote village to be connected with development.
He said the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV Batch-II will be formally launched on April 28 at SKICC Srinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary.
“Under the scheme, 330 roads covering nearly 1,600 kilometres will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3,566 crore, benefiting 363 habitations across Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
He said the roads will mainly connect far-flung and mountainous villages with all-weather access to schools, hospitals, markets, and employment opportunities. Approval letters for the projects will be handed over during the function, he added.
Highlighting past progress, Chouhan said that since the launch of PMGSY in 2000, Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed the construction of 3,328 roads, a 19,851-kilometre road network and 257 bridges. He said the programme has transformed rural connectivity in the region.
The Minister further said Rs 4,568.23 crore would be released as the Central share under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) for 24 States and Union Territories, with the release process taking place from Srinagar.
He said the step reflects the Centre’s resolve to strengthen women-led Self Help Groups and promote rural entrepreneurship.
Chouhan also said Jammu & Kashmir currently has 96,000 Self Help Groups, 7,500 Village Organisations and around 650 Cluster-Level Federations.
He said these institutions are playing a major role in women’s empowerment, savings and income generation.
The Minister said under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), nearly 5 lakh families in Jammu & Kashmir have been surveyed or have applied for housing assistance.
After physical verification, eligible families living in kutcha houses will be provided permanent homes, he said. “No poor family should remain without a roof,” Chouhan added.
The Union Minister also announced a Clean Plant Centre worth over Rs 100 crore in Jammu & Kashmir to provide disease-free and quality planting material for apple and fruit growers.
He said many orchards in Kashmir have become old and productivity has declined, making scientific replantation necessary.
He also announced support for private nurseries, including Rs 2 crore for small nurseries and Rs 4 crore for large nurseries, along with a team of scientists for saffron, apple, and other crops.
Chouhan said a team of agricultural scientists will also visit Jammu & Kashmir to study the decline in saffron production, low orchard productivity, suitable crops for the local climate, ways to increase farmer income and the expansion of modern horticulture.
He said necessary steps would be taken in coordination with the UT government.
On concerns over imported apples and tariffs, Chouhan said the Centre remains committed to protecting domestic growers.
He said India produces around 26 lakh metric tonnes of apples, but domestic demand remains higher. “We will always safeguard the interests of our farmers,” he said.
The Minister said the Centre is simultaneously focusing on roads, agriculture, irrigation, skill development, employment, and rural enterprise.
He said schemes such as PM-Kisan, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, e-NAM, MGNREGA and micro-irrigation projects are being strengthened in Jammu & Kashmir.
Chouhan said the aim is to create sustainable opportunities for youth and women while building a developed and self-reliant Jammu & Kashmir—(KNO)