CM Omar Abdullah highlights J&K’s development priorities at NITI Aayog meeting

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday participated in the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The meeting was held under the theme, “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047.”

Addressing the Council, the Chief Minister outlined Jammu and Kashmir’s development trajectory and presented a set of priority proposals aimed at strengthening human development, economic growth and infrastructure.

Omar said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had overwhelmingly chosen peace, democracy and progress, laying a strong foundation for sustained development. He highlighted significant achievements in higher education, healthcare and skill development, including the operationalisation of IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu and AIIMS Jammu, the expansion of medical colleges from three to ten, and the training of over 90,000 youth under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

Highlighting the challenges posed by difficult terrain and scattered habitations, he noted that Jammu and Kashmir has continued to record strong social indicators, with improvements in healthcare, education and social protection. He stressed that development financing frameworks should adequately account for geographical disadvantages and sought the extension of the SASCI “Pride of Hills” Special Development Assistance to Jammu and Kashmir on the same principles applicable to other hill states.

The Chief Minister also highlighted Mission YUVA as a transformative initiative for entrepreneurship and employment generation. He said the programme has mapped entrepreneurial potential across 24 lakh households, identified over 5.5 lakh prospective entrepreneurs and contributed to a significant increase in registered startups.

Referring to the diversification of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, Omar cited record tourist arrivals of 2.36 crore visitors in 2024, the impact of the Rs 5,000-crore Holistic Agriculture Development Programme benefiting more than 6.5 lakh farmers, and the contribution of nearly 8.5 lakh MSMEs to employment and economic activity.

On infrastructure and energy, the Chief Minister highlighted the Union Territory’s hydropower potential of 14,867 MW and underscored the need to strengthen the J&K-Centre joint venture model beyond 2028 to fully harness the resources of the Chenab and Jhelum river basins. He also described the Udhampur-Srinagar railway link as a critical all-weather connectivity corridor and a vital lifeline for the region’s apple economy.

Seeking support from the Union Government, Omar proposed the extension of the SASCI “Pride of Hills” package to Jammu and Kashmir, strengthening and expansion of the J&K-Centre hydropower partnership, approval of 10 new tourism circuits under a proposed Rs 5,500-crore tourism development plan, institutional partnerships for promoting medicinal and aromatic plants, apples and wool, augmentation of railway services ahead of the apple season, and the establishment of Government Medical Colleges in the eight districts that currently lack such facilities.

He said additional proposals related to handicrafts and disaster resilience had been submitted separately.

Reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the Chief Minister said the Union Territory seeks partnership and convergence to transform its resilience, resources and human potential into a stronger contribution to national growth and development.