- J&K Records 11% Growth, Expands Digital Services and DBT at Scale: LG Manoj Sinha
Jammu, 02-02-2026: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, February 2, 2026, opened its Budget Session with the customary address by Manoj Sinha to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in Jammu, setting the tone for the government’s policy priorities and development agenda for the year ahead. In his address to the House, the Lieutenant Governor described the session as an important democratic moment to review the past year’s progress, assess challenges, and outline a clear roadmap for a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Jammu and Kashmir.
He expressed gratitude to citizens across professions, including farmers, workers, artisans, youth, women, entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, security personnel and public servants, describing their contribution as the foundation of the Union Territory’s ongoing transformation. A key message of the address focused on the strengthening of democratic processes, with the Lieutenant Governor noting that the past year marked a significant milestone through the formation of an elected government after several years. He said the transition to popular governance had reinforced public trust in democratic institutions and that the administration had worked to restore participatory governance, rebuild public confidence and ensure that every region and community finds meaningful representation in policymaking.
The Lieutenant Governor said the development trajectory is being guided by the three foundational principles of Economy, Ecology and Equity, presenting them as a framework for balancing growth, sustainability and social justice. He said the government recognises that progress across sectors must be sustained through focused effort to ensure that development remains inclusive, environmentally responsible and evenly distributed. Highlighting governance reforms, he said the administration has expanded digital and citizen-centric service delivery, strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional efficiency. He noted that over 1,500 public services are now available online, while 391 services have been integrated with an auto-appeal system to ensure time-bound delivery. He also cited the strengthening of public grievance mechanisms, including regular grievance redressal meetings and the JK Samadhan portal, stating that thousands of complaints have been resolved through time-bound interventions. The address underlined the scale of digital adoption in governance and service delivery, reporting 82 crore e-transactions in the past year, averaging more than 22 lakh transactions per day. He said 128 services have been integrated with DigiLocker, and complete Aadhaar seeding of welfare beneficiaries has enabled smoother Direct Benefit Transfer. Under 77 DBT-based schemes, ₹9,000 crore has been credited directly to the accounts of 80 lakh beneficiaries in the current financial year. He also said a comprehensive AI strategy is being formulated to support innovation and efficiency in priority sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, mobility, education and law enforcement. On the economy, the Lieutenant Governor said Jammu and Kashmir is recording an annual nominal growth rate of around 11 percent in 2024–25. He noted that GST revenue collections rose from ₹8,064 crore in 2023–24 to ₹8,586 crore in 2024–25, and that tariff receipts from electric power increased by 16 percent in 2024–25. He also highlighted support under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Infusion, under which ₹1,431 crore has been sanctioned for 222 projects and ₹210 crore approved as matching share for 12 centrally sponsored schemes, with the first instalment of ₹1,083 crore already received. Infrastructure emerged as a central theme, with the Lieutenant Governor pointing to unprecedented road-sector investments amounting to ₹61,528 crore across expressways, national highways, ring roads and tunnels. He said three major tunnels, including the Sonamarg Tunnel, have been completed, while others, including the Zojila Tunnel, are in advanced stages. He noted that 19 new National Highway projects costing ₹10,637 crore have been sanctioned for 2025–26, including the Pir Ki Gali Tunnel, Sadhna Tunnel, and key flyovers intended to ease congestion in urban areas. He also recorded appreciation to the Government of India for PMGSY-IV, aimed at connecting 2,400 unconnected habitations, with 316 projects already sanctioned under Phase-I. In rail connectivity, the Lieutenant Governor said the Kashmir Valley has been connected with the rest of the country through the railway network, a development described as opening new opportunities for trade, tourism and growth. He also mentioned operationalisation of the first-ever FCI food-grain freight train to Kashmir, aimed at improving year-round logistics and reducing pressure on NH-44. He said expansion of Jammu Airport is progressing and evening flight operations have strengthened air connectivity. On the power sector, he said major hydropower projects including Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar and Ratle, with a combined capacity of 3,014 MW, are under execution. He said 10.44 lakh smart prepaid meters have been installed, with full coverage targeted by 2026–27, contributing to a 9 percent reduction in losses and a 16 percent rise in revenue realisation. He also cited solarisation under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, stating that over 6,700 government buildings and more than 16,800 households have been solarised, and that a project has been approved to provide 200 free units of electricity to 2.23 lakh AAY families under a utility-led aggregation model. Tourism, agriculture, healthcare, education, urban development, industry and social welfare were presented as major pillars of governance.
The Lieutenant Governor said the Union Territory recorded 1.78 crore tourist visits in 2025 and has granted tourism industry status to attract investment and generate employment. He spoke of agriculture reforms through HADP, expansion of CA storage to 2.92 lakh metric tonnes with further additions planned, and e-NAM integration of 17 mandis facilitating trade worth ₹1,680.34 crore. He highlighted gains in crop diversification, seed replacement, oilseed expansion, honey and fish production, along with broader insurance coverage under PM Fasal Bima Yojana. On social welfare, the address highlighted pension enhancements from April 2025, ration support under NFSA and PMGKAY, expanded women’s livelihood initiatives including a target of 2 lakh Lakhpati Didis, and reforms to make welfare schemes more inclusive. He also described youth empowerment through Mission YUVA, which aims to establish 1.35 lakh entrepreneurial units and generate opportunities for 4.5 lakh youth, noting significant registrations and credit-linked sanctions already processed. Concluding the address, the Lieutenant Governor urged all members of the House to work in a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility to turn challenges into opportunities and build a Jammu and Kashmir that is peaceful, progressive, inclusive and prosperous, anchored in dignity, opportunity and hope for every citizen.