Calls for ‘Pride of Hills’ parity, long-term hydropower partnership, rail augmentation for apple economy
New Delhi: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday participated in the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. The meeting was convened on the theme “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047.”
Addressing the Council, the Chief Minister outlined Jammu & Kashmir’s development journey and presented a set of priority proposals aimed at strengthening human development, economic growth and infrastructure. He emphasized that the true measure of development lies in expanding opportunities and improving the quality of life for every citizen.
The Chief Minister observed that the people of Jammu & Kashmir had overwhelmingly chosen peace, democracy and progress, creating a strong foundation for sustained development. He highlighted significant advances in higher education, healthcare and skill development, including the operationalization of IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu and AIIMS Jammu, the expansion of medical colleges from three to ten, and the training of more than 90,000 youth under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
Highlighting the challenges posed by difficult terrain and dispersed habitations, he noted that Jammu & Kashmir has continued to register strong social indicators, with improvements in healthcare, education and social protection. He emphasized that development financing frameworks must adequately account for geographical disadvantages and urged the extension of the SASCI “Pride of Hills” Special Development Assistance to Jammu & Kashmir on the same principles applicable to other hill States.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Mission YUVA as a transformative initiative to promote entrepreneurship and employment. He noted that the programme has mapped entrepreneurial potential across 24 lakh households, identified over 5.5 lakh prospective entrepreneurs and contributed to a sharp rise in the number of registered startups.
Referring to the growing diversification of J&K’s economy, he cited record tourist arrivals of 2.36 crore visitors in 2024, the impact of the ₹5,000-crore Holistic Agriculture Development Programme benefiting over 6.5 lakh farmers, and the contribution of nearly 8.5 lakh MSMEs to local employment and economic activity.
On infrastructure and energy, the Chief Minister highlighted Jammu & Kashmir’s vast hydropower potential of 14,867 MW and underscored the importance of strengthening 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 as a critical all-weather connectivity corridor and a vital lifeline for the region’s apple economy.
The Chief Minister sought the Union Government’s support for extending the SASCI “Pride of Hills” package to Jammu & Kashmir; strengthening and expanding the J&K-Centre hydropower partnership; approval of ten new tourism circuits under a proposed ₹5,500-crore tourism development plan; institutional partnerships for the promotion of medicinal and aromatic plants, apples and wool; augmentation of railway services ahead of the apple season; and establishment of Government Medical Colleges in the eight districts that currently lack such facilities. Additional proposals relating to handicrafts and disaster resilience were submitted separately.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister reaffirmed Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. He stated that J&K seeks partnership and convergence to transform its resilience, resources and human potential into a stronger contribution to national growth and development.
