Baramulla, Aug 15 (JKNS): In a major push for rural development, Jammu and Kashmir will develop 87 villages under a model village programme, with each receiving Rs 2 crore over the next two years, Cabinet Minister Javed Dar announced on Saturday.
Addressing an Independence Day function, Dar outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the Union Territory, emphasizing that improving living standards and creating employment opportunities for the youth remain the government’s primary objective .
“Panchayats are the backbone of our development model,” Dar stated. Under the model village programme, the government aims to transform rural infrastructure and basic amenities across the region .
The Minister also announced that 1,209 previously unconnected habitations have been provided all-weather road connectivity. He said more than 1,400 projects have been planned under PMGSY-IV, covering 7,000 km of roads, while 3,500 km of road construction is targeted for completion during the financial year 2026-27 .
In a significant move to empower youth, Dar said the government is targeting the establishment of 1.35 lakh entrepreneurial units under Mission Yuva, which is expected to generate employment for 4 to 5 lakh youth. Over one lakh applications have been received so far, with more than 29,000 youth receiving bank support and over 33,000 provided employment .
On the agriculture front, Dar said a baseline crop survey is underway across all districts with a target to bring all farmers onto a digital platform by March 2027. The government has set a target of covering 10 lakh agricultural plots and bringing 3 lakh hectares under oilseed cultivation to reduce dependence on edible oil imports .
Infrastructure development for horticulture growers is also being strengthened, with work worth Rs 17.5 crore underway to upgrade Sopore Mandi. Cold-storage and apple pack-house facilities are being established at key horticulture centres, while crop insurance coverage worth Rs 6,500 crore has been targeted for apple, saffron, mango and litchi crops .
In the health sector, Dar said PET scan facilities have been made available in all 12 government medical colleges, while dialysis units are being established at community health centres and sub-district hospitals. Emergency and accident hospitals will also be established at Poonch and Uri .
The Minister said the government has allocated Rs 861 crore for restoration of roads and bridges damaged during the floods and landslides of 2025. In the education sector, 329 high and higher secondary schools are being provided classrooms and other facilities, benefiting around 20,000 students .
Dar said 90,000 women have been provided employment opportunities through the Udyam Jagriti initiative, reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating opportunities for youth, strengthening agriculture and horticulture, and expanding healthcare and education facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. (JKNS)
