Jammu And Kashmir: The abrogation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi government in 2019 has heralded a new era of empowerment and development for the region of Jammu & Kashmir. Once plagued by administrative complexities and limited access to development initiatives due to its special status, the region has witnessed significant positive changes since this historic move.
One of the most impactful initiatives has been the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana. This scheme has opened up access to quality healthcare services for over 82.3 lakh registered beneficiaries, which were previously out of reach. Designed as the world’s largest health assurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana aims to provide a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 12 crore underprivileged families, benefiting around 55 crore individuals from the lower 40 per cent of India’s population.
Another transformational effort is the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has revolutionized the region’s water supply by ensuring safe drinking water. With tap connections delivered to 12.6 lakh households, this initiative strives to provide individual household tap connections to all rural households across India by 2024.
In Jammu & Kashmir, the remaining rural households are set to receive tap water connections by June of this year under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Notably, the Union Territory has received a substantial allocation of Rs 9,289.15 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission 2022-23, signifying a considerable increase compared to previous funding.
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has been instrumental in the completion of 1.7 lakh houses under PMAY (Rural) and 21,652 dwelling units under PMAY (Urban). Additionally, the allotment of 5 marlas of land to landless families under PMAY-Gramin has brought newfound hope and opportunities for thousands of families.
The Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana has significantly reduced healthcare expenses by making generic medicines accessible through 226 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. This number has now expanded to a remarkable 227 in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring affordable and high-quality medicines for the population.
Financial inclusion has received a boost through the successful implementation of PM Jan Dhan Yojana. The initiation of 2.65 million bank accounts, with a substantial portion belonging to women, has expanded access to formal banking services, empowering individuals to save money and access credit facilities.
In the agriculture sector, the PM-KISAN and PM Mudra Yojana have played pivotal roles. The PM-KISAN initiative provides direct financial assistance of Rs 6,000 to farmers, while the Mudra Yojana offers loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for small and micro enterprises.
The abrogation of special status has also paved the way for expediting infrastructure projects, leading to significant milestones like the completion of the Chenab Bridge and the Atal Tunnel.
In Ladakh, development progress has been equally remarkable across various initiatives, reflecting the region’s growing empowerment and advancement.
With a substantial budget and a host of mega projects in progress, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have embarked on a transformative journey of empowerment and development, creating a brighter future for their residents.
