J&K Witnessing New Era Of Limitless Possibilities: LG

Says Kashmir Will Soon Find Its Place In Top 50 Destinations In The World

Terror Eco-System Isolated With Dev Schemes, Effective Administration

Speed To Execute Infra Projects 10 Times Up

300 New Destinations Identified To Promote Green Tourism

Tourism Sector Made 7% Contribution To J&K’s GDP

Tourism Cannot Grow In Isolation

Over 300 Movies Filmed In J&K Last Year

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday that Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing a new era that has opened limitless possibilities of growth and peace, and the day is not far when the Union Territory will find its place in the top 50 destinations in the world and will be on the bucket list of global travelers.

Addressing the 3rd Tourism

Working Group (TWG) of G20 at the SKICC here on Tuesday, Sinha said that the development schemes empowering masses and Union Territory's effective administration isolated the “terror ecosystem which thrived with the support from across the border,”

“Now even foreign investments are also coming into Jammu and Kashmir, green shoots of better times people are anxiously looking up to,” Sinha said and underlined why J&K was selected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G20 meeting.

He also said that tourism in Jammu Kashmir is also a reflection of the multi-religious and multi-cultural ethos of India. The LG underlined the importance of peace for growth and tourism and said that tourism cannot grow in isolation

“The economics of it is fine, that tourism

THE WORLD CAN SEE THAT THE ENTIRE SOCIETY, especially the young generation is scripting a bright future for themselves and the nation. The speed and scale of rapid development in Jammu Kashmir are awe-inspiring. Our speed to execute infrastructure projects has gone up almost 10 times.”

Gujarat, and except China, all G20 nations delegates, representatives and other stakeholders of the tourism industry of the respective countries are participating in the event,” the LG said.

He said that he has also been informed that 57 delegates from 27 countries were participating in the G20 meeting at Srinagar which reflects India’s strength of ancient values of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing a historic opportunity to J&K to host the 3rd TWG meeting, the LG said that today’s inaugural session was very exciting and productive.

“The significant deliberation, exchange of views and perspectives will help in building a framework based on five priority areas for sustainable tourism as we advance towards post Covid pandemic era,” he said

J&K, Sinha said, is governed by the Constitution of India, which has established rule of law and supremacy of the people.

“It’s a land of peace and prosperity that responsible and responsive administration is trying too hard to bring in the lives of the people. Grass-root democracy has been growing from strength to strength. The three-tier PRI system has ensured stability and consistency in development and participation of people in policy making,” he said.

He said that the digital revolution has unleashed socio-cultural transformation, which has empowered every section of the society, especially the young generation.

“We have an open and vibrant press and more than 400 newspapers are published every day,” he added.

Asserting that Jammu Kashmir is fully committed to the effort to build on shared aspirations for sustainable tourism, the LG said that PM Modi has accorded highest priority to sustainable social & economic development of the Union Territory.

“In the last 4 years, policies and programmes have been reshaped so that the benefits of growth percolate to the masses and nurture the nature. In the tourism sector, there has been unprecedented increase in the tourist footfall after the second wave of covid pandemic and we were happy to host over 18 million tourists last year, which, I would say, was unparalleled since Independence,” Sinha said.

He said his government’s focus on green tourism, offbeat destinations, involvement of local communities, and according industry status to the tourism sector has turned this sector into one of the most flourishing industries in Jammu Kashmir.

“Our sustained reforms’, including a new film policy, modern infrastructure and ease of doing business has transformed Jammu Kashmir into a preferred destination for shooting of films, which is also strengthening the economy and providing employment opportunities to the people. Overall tourism offered a large number of employment and contributed around 7% to its GDP in the last fiscal year,” he said.

“With more than 65% of the population below 35 years of age, we are witnessing the emergence of a powerful force of youth that is contributing to invention, innovation and research,” he added.

Speaking on the sports activities, the LG said that 6 million youth participated in various sporting events across Jammu Kashmir while every district has a multi-purpose indoor sports hall. Gulmarg, he said, is being transformed into a world-class winter sports destination.

“We wanted to take our G20 delegates to Gulmarg and show them its scenic beauty but due to time constraints it may not happen this time,” he added.

Talking about grass-root level empowerment, the LG said that all 4292 Panchayats in J&K have a Youth Club to seize the opportunity globalization has to offer.

Besides, he said, the admin has also set up a dedicated department, Mission Youth, to help young men and women to achieve their dreams and build a vibrant society free from fear, discrimination and exploitation.

Lauding the guidance of the PM, the LG said that his administration has taken a very wide range of decisions to accelerate the implementation of mega infrastructure projects, modernization of health, agriculture, energy sector, and brought transparency and accountability in the governance system to script a new chapter of growth in Jammu Kashmir.

“Jammu Kashmir is future ready. And, Jammu Kashmir is ambitious. Our multi-sectoral achievements reflect that. We are registering a new start-up every other day. In the last four years, we have registered 7.7 lakh new entrepreneurs, which roughly means that per day 527 youth started their entrepreneurial journey to contribute to their individual and Jammu Kashmir’s growth,” Sinha said.

“And, this is not all. We are ensuring fast industrial development to bring rapid social transformation. On an average, we are receiving 7 to 8 applications every day from different industrial houses from India and abroad, who are willing to set up their facilities here. In 2022, on an average one industry became operational per day,” he added

In a very short span of time, the LG said J&K was advancing towards building a digital society. He said his government was offering over 450 public services in online mode. Our entire administration is paperless.

Giving further details, the LG said that in 2022, J&K recorded 1.2 million e-transactions per day while in the first 4 month of 2023, 2.3 million etransactions have been recorded, which is higher than many other states.

“With more than 150 higher education institutions, two central universities, seven state universities and by establishing all premier educational institutions, Jammu Kashmir is ready to contribute to India’s knowledge economy,” he said.

He also referred to the acceleration of projects post 2019, saying it has gone up by times.

In 2018, the LG said, 9229 projects were completed whereas in the last financial year, 92,560 projects were finished. He said that his government is building an effective and efficient rural infrastructure and the number and fast-paced developments show UT admin’s resolve to build Aatm-Nirbhar Jammu Kashmir.

“We are working with innovative approaches to exploit our strength and empower our farmers. With sustained efforts in the last 2-3 years while managing pandemic, Jammu Kashmir figures in the top five states of the country in terms of monthly farm income,” the LG said.

“We are implementing 29 projects worth Rs.5013 crore, to increase farmer’s income by 4 times in the next five years. We are number one in terms of production of saffron, apple, walnut and almond in India, and industries in processing and value additions will provide new height to Jammu Kashmir,” he added.

Listing the empowerment of women as one of the achievements of his administration, the LG said that over 6 lakh women entrepreneurs through self-help groups are reaching global scales in terms of quality and output.

“Jammu Kashmir is becoming a centre and export hub for diverse goods, from agricultural products to handicrafts to horticulture produce. All these strengths have resulted in a greater integration with the global market, which has helped us to lay foundation for even better prospects ahead,” he said.

He further said that he would have outlined socioeconomic achievements of Jammu Kashmir in some detail with a wish that it captures news mind and space tomorrow.

“These achievements also show that we are firmly resolved to continue with the reform process and accelerated development in every sector. Friends, this is just the beginning of the turnaround of Jammu Kashmir, the crown of incredible India,” Sinha said.

He also recalled a quote by Sri Aurobindo to conclude the presser.