Srinagar: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in presence of Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, on Monday inaugurated works pertaining to Health, Education, Urban Infrastructure, and Disaster Management worth Rs 130.49 crore and laid the foundation stone for Union Territory Level Emergency Operation Centre and SCADA control building at Budgam, Kashmir (amounting to Rs 34.88 crore) under the Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
The sub-projects are part of the Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) which is assisted by a credit of $250 million from the World Bank. The project was started in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the devastating floods of September 2014 which severely affected low-lying areas of Anantnag, Srinagar, and adjoining districts causing immense damage to housing, livelihoods and roads and bridges. It has been under implementation by Government of J&K as part of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for J&K since its effective date of 19.04.2016. The project aims at both restoring essential services disrupted by the floods and improving the design standard and practices to increase resilience.
On the occasion, the Union Finance Minister launched two Youth-oriented employment generation schemes of Mission Youth viz. Rise Together (Community Entrepreneurship Development program) and Nav Parivartan (Youth Innovation Promotion Program). She also handed over cheques of Rs 1 lakh each to students of LG Super 75 scholarship.
In her address, the Union Finance Minister appreciated the UT Government for working for the growth and prosperity of every section of the society without any discrimination.
The dream of Prime Minister to develop each part of the country equally is fulfilled vigorously and J&K is participating in this journey in letter and spirit, she said. The Finance Minister also applauded the J&K government for promoting the local talent and supporting youth aspirations like education, entrepreneurship under flagship initiatives like Mission Youth, besides extending financial support to meritorious students from weaker sections for higher education through LG Super 75 scholarship.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Finance Minister for bringing revolutionary changes in J&K making it a model of development and empowering the people of the UT.
The programs launched today under Mission Youth will prove to be a strong platform for the talented youth of Jammu and Kashmir, he added. J&K was deliberately kept away from development, progress, and prosperity by few vested interests. The Youth of J&K and their future have been neglected for decades, said the Lt Governor.