Govt aims to create strong ecosystem focusing on rural-urban partnership with Rs 7097 cr funds

SRINAGAR : The Jammu and Kashmir government has allocated a substantial funding of Rs 7097cr in budget 2023-24 to develop a strong ecosystem for the cities, focusing on urban-rural partnership, enhancing market and business opportunities, job creation, filling gaps in education system and ensuring sustainable economic development in rural and urban pockets of the Union Territory.

The implementation of Panchayat Development Index helps in developing and replicating best practices that drive improvement across the socio-economic themes of Panchayats under newly approved Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme (APDP).

The identified Panchayats are given special focus to saturate inclusive development schemes which would serve as model Panchayats, an official said. He added the J&K government has selected the most backward 285 Panchayats (One Panchayat per Block) under APDP for holistic development.

The Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Development Index-2022 helps in rating, assessing and analyzing the performance and level of development of various municipalities/ towns of the UT. The urban reform incentive fund is meant for providing reform linked assistance to the ULBs of the UT based on the performance as per the benchmarks prescribed under The Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Development Index-2022

The Budget has also been earmarked to declare all the villages and ULBs Open Defecation Free plus status (ODF plus).

Notably, Several Municipal bodies including Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees of Jammu division have self-declared as Open Defecation Free plus status after complying with all bye-laws and development done in Municipal limits as per the Swachh Bharat Mission norms.

Under initiative of “Har Gaon Ek Amrit Sarovar”, 4041 Amrit Sarovars have been identified, out of which, 2420 have been completed and remaining will be completed before 15th of August 2023. The dream of elevated light Metro Rail in Capital Cities of Jammu and Kashmir will also be realized in this year’s budget.

The government has also earmarked funds for new Townships and Housing Colonies for economically weaker sections /low income group/Middle Income group at Jammu and Srinagar.

To empower and facilitate the marketing of products of women entrepreneurs, the government will establish Ladies HAAT and Ladies Exclusive Markets in Jammu, Srinagar and other Major Towns besides creation of EKTA Malls.

Meanwhile, Rs 50 crore have been earmarked for Samridh Seema Yojina for development of Border Areas.

To provide employment avenues and handhold youth in setting up their enterprises, 10,000 further SHGs to be formed with the Budget of 2023-24.

The government has also allocated funds for constitution of 1500 new Panchayat Ghars to be constructed under “Har Panchayat-Panchayat Ghar “initiative for smooth implementation of welfare programmes of Government at grassroot level besides Rs 1313 crore provided for PRIs and ULBs Rs 271.25 crore for DDCs/BDCs.

Similarly, according to the Budget document, 40,000 new houses for houseless families under PMAY-G would be constructed, 18934 dwelling units to be completed under PMAY-U and New 87,350 IHHLs and 2500 CSCs to be constructed.

For restoration and conservation of Dal Lake, Sewage Management of Dal Lake to be accomplished with installation of 89.83 MLD STPs meant for benefitting 6, 20,565 people. Besides, elevated light Metro Rail in Capital Cities of Jammu and Kashmir to be rolled out.