Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], March 3: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the restoration of the Union Territory’s full statehood, emphasizing ongoing efforts to engage with all stakeholders to facilitate the process.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session, LG Sinha said that the budget represents a new phase of participatory governance, with a focus on addressing the needs and aspirations of the common people in policymaking.
“One of the foremost aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is the restoration of full statehood. My government remains steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling this legitimate desire. We understand the emotional and political significance of statehood and are actively engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate this process in a manner that ensures peace, stability, and progress,” Sinha said.
The LG also emphasized the importance of preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s composite culture and brotherhood, pledging the government’s commitment to maintaining peace, harmony, and protecting the aspirations of the region’s people.
“Good governance is the cornerstone of Jammu and Kashmir’s prosperous and harmonious future,” Sinha added. “My government is committed to transparent and accountable decision-making, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to maximize benefits for the people. While the region’s economy has shown notable growth, challenges such as regional disparities, unemployment, and sustainable development remain and will be addressed.”
Sinha highlighted recent infrastructure achievements, including the inauguration of the Sonmarg Tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13, as a key driver of progress. He emphasized that ongoing connectivity projects, such as expressways, highways, and ring roads for Jammu and Srinagar, will be expedited to ensure timely completion.
He also spoke about significant progress in the region’s energy sector, with plans to complete key hydro-power projects that will add 3,014 Megawatts to the region’s energy capacity, strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s energy security.
This budget is the first to be introduced by the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.