Economic growth, tourism, flagship schemes on agenda
Cabinet, Home Secys to also address
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 25: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called a conference on the Union Territories including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on December 29 in New Delhi to review their economic growth, tourist and flagship schemes and roadmap for future to ensure robust development of the UTs.
Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta and Umang Narula, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh will represent Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh UTs respectively among others.
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla will also address the meeting.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries and Advisors to the Lieutenant Governors or Administrators of the Union Territories, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Union Territory division, has asked them to present five major achievements of the Union Territory and one page detailed note on the UT highlighting developmental works and projects completed, under construction and to be taken up shortly, official sources told the Excelsior.
“Focus of the conference will remain economic growth, tourism potential and flagship schemes. The aim is to ensure development of the Union Territories in all respects including development works and projects and Centrally Sponsored Schemes besides pace of their work to ensure that they (the schemes) don’t miss timelines.
Besides Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Chief Secretaries and Advisors of other UTs, who have been invited to the conference, include Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep.
“All-round development of the Union Territories has been top priority of the Central Government. The conference on UT is aimed at this direction. The Government through representatives of the UTs will ascertain their development needs and requirements and fulfil them,” the sources said.
They said the UT officers have been asked to make UT specific presentation during their speech in the conference.
In Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, a number of Centrally Sponsored Schemes are being implemented. The UT Governments have now ensured that the schemes are completed well in time to avoid cost escalations.
As far as tourism is concerned, which is one of the three main items on agenda of the conference, Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing tourism boom. Last year also, the tourism had broken all records in Jammu and Kashmir and this year also, the Government is expecting good tourist season.
Ladakh has also been experiencing good tourist footfall.
On economic growth, in the current financial year i.e. 2022-23 annual budget, Jammu and Kashmir was allocated Rs 1,12,950 crore and this was for the second straight time that the UT budget had crossed Rs one lakh crore. For next fiscal year of 2023-24, Jammu and Kashmir is expecting significant increase in the budget.
Jammu and Kashmir administration has conducted series of meetings with almost all departments to ascertain their requirements for the next year’s budget. Some of the major requirements will be incorporated in the budget. More such meetings could be held depending upon the budgetary needs.
During last three-four years, Jammu and Kashmir has been getting hefty grants in the budget as well as other Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) and Prime Minister’s Development Plan (PMDP) leading to acceleration of developmental works including major projects.
Besides Jammu and Kashmir has also received good funding in National Highways, major roads, tunnels, water supply schemes and other projects with a view to improve road connectivity including in the rural areas.
Allocations under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and PMDP for next financial year of 2023-24 will also be reflected in the budget.
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