Security Grid strengthened in J&K: MHA

2500 MW power generation capacity to be added by 2025
Centre lists works done in UT, roadmap ahead

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 14: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs said today that security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved significantly and there has been steep decline in terror incidents as well as estimate net infiltration of the militants while Security Grid has been further strengthened.
In a statement tabled in Lok Sabha, the MHA also listed a series of measures taken by the Central Government to boost development in Jammu and Kashmir especially after abrogation of special status of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
“Security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved significantly since August 2019 and there has been a significant decline in terrorist incidents. Security Grid has been further strengthened and infiltration of terrorists from across the border has come down significantly,” Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Asserting that the progress of projects being implemented in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP)-2015 has been accelerated, the Home Minister said 53 projects pertaining to 15 Ministries are being implemented at a cost of Rs.58,477 crore in various sectors such as Roads, Power, Health, Education, Tourism, Agriculture, Skill Development etc.
“Out of these, 21 projects have been completed/substantially completed and the remaining 32 projects are at advanced stage of progress,” it added.
As per the information, a new Central Sector Scheme has been notified for Jammu and Kashmir for industrial development with an outlay of Rs. 28,400 crore, which is likely to provide employment to over 4.5 lakh people while boosting industrial development of the Union Territory.
“The Government of Jammu and Kashmir had approved business revival package of Rs. 1,352.99 crore. Under languishing projects programme, 1192 projects worth Rs.1983.77 crore were completed, including five projects which were incomplete for more than 20 years, 15 projects for more than 15 years and 165 projects for more than 10 years,” the MHA said.
It added that 100 percent saturation has been achieved in 17 Individual beneficiary centric schemes, including Saubhagya, Ujala, Ujjwala and Indradhanush.
During the year 2020-21, 1289 road construction works were completed at a cost of Rs.1638 crore. The construction work of 14500 km of road has been completed so far under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which has connected about 2000 places, the MHA reply tabled in the Lok Sabha said.
“Work is under progress on one All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions at the cost of Rs. 2000 crore each besides seven other Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in J&K,” the reply said.
Besides, it added, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu have been made functional.
“Power projects are being fast tracked and generation capacity of 2500 MW is to be added by 2025,” the MHA reply said, adding that an international flight from Srinagar to Sharjah has been started in October. In addition, night flights from Jammu and Srinagar have also been made operational.
The scope of High Density Plantation Scheme for Apple has been expanded to include Mango, Litchi, Cherry, Walnut etc. Kashmiri Saffron has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, the statement said.
It added that under fast-track recruitment, 20323 posts are being filled by the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board while 2119 selections for Gazetted posts have been made by the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission in various departments.
During the current financial year, 137870 persons have been covered under various self-employment schemes of different Government departments, the reply said.