Days of disruptive activities, anarchy are over: LG Sinha

Jammu, Mar 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that the days of disruption, strikes and anarchy were over in J&K and that era would never return.

In the same breath, he reiterated that no one could change the reality of J&K being an integral part of India.

The LG said that rail to Kashmir (from Katra) would start its operation in April.

He said it in his inaugural address at NITI Aayog's workshop on the promotion of innovation, investment and industry in the MSME sector at IIM Jammu.

Emphasising the importance of peace for development, LG Sinha noted with concern that certain elements, beguiled by the neighbouring nation, were still trying to create anarchy and disruptive activities in J&K but their nefarious designs would not be allowed to succeed and disturb peace and tempo of development.

“J&K needs to be known by its entrepreneurs and not by those resorting to disruptions and anarchy. Our neighbour continues to make efforts to foment trouble here and some people get beguiled also. I want to make it clear to people, who are still anticipating the return of disruptive activities, anarchy in J&K, that those days are over and they will never be back,” he said.

The LG said, “I don’t want to make any political comment on the pitiable condition of our neighbour – its own making. Yet, if anyone is in doubt, I want to assert that J&K is an integral part of India and no power in the world can separate it from India. Moreover, J&K’s future lies with India only. Therefore, my request will be that common citizens should also understand their responsibility.”

Referring to MSMEs, he said that under Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund, in 2023-24, 107 enterprises took advantage of financial support provided by the Government of India while this number reached 145 in the 2024-25 financial year, till February 2025.

“I believe we need to think about it as to what can be done to perform better,” LG Sinha said.

He said that in the case of J&K, there were 7 lakh MSMEs of whom 5 lakh were micro entrepreneurs.

“Over 11 lakh were provided with jobs in these MSMEs. From a national perspective, only 1.19 percent of total MSMEs are in J&K,” the LG said.

“In the case of tourism, it is true that the number of tourists has increased manifold. Besides, now is the ripe time to come out of that mindset that only by creating a Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) or Tourism Development Authority, tourism will increase. This cannot happen. Connectivity has a very significant role on this account - road, air, digital connectivity and rail, which Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has already told that it is going to start in April. In all these sectors of connectivity, J&K has progressed a lot,” he said.

“However as long as private players or the private sector don’t come forward to invest and for that if a favourable mindset, outlook, policy and execution are not there, we cannot develop better facilities. And we need to accept this reality,” LG Sinha said.

He said that the entrepreneurs, having a better potential to perform, should be invited and provided with the land as that would only help in the development of better infrastructure as witnessed in the country and abroad.

“This transformation is required not only at the government and administrative level but also at the level of public mindset. If that does not happen then it will be very difficult to create better facilities. The ‘Homestay’ initiative is performing well. In the recent past, several big programmes have happened here like G20 and other functions and this benefitted a lot in the promotion (of tourism),” the LG said. “The number of hotels has increased and the number of peace stakeholders too has increased. If we take a minimum Rs 7 to 8 crore investment in each case, then in the case of the hotel industry, broadly speaking, an investment of over Rs 40,000 has occurred.”

In his inaugural address, LG Sinha extended his felicitations to the NITI Aayog, IIM Jammu, and other stakeholders for bringing together the policymakers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for the workshop aimed to explore challenges and opportunities in three key sectors of Jammu Kashmir's Economy- Textiles, Food Processing and Tourism.

He said that such deliberation on reforms to create a growth environment would have a wide-ranging impact on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in J&K.

The LG emphasised that the communication between all stakeholders of the MSME sector should be deepened, reforms should be seamless and policymakers and entrepreneurs should work as partners.

He reiterated his resolve to empower Small and Micro Entrepreneurs of J&K.

“We stand committed to ensuring that our industry moves ahead with confidence and without fear or apprehension. Food processing remains an area where we need to improve our performance, boost infrastructure in the tourism sector and accelerate the development of new tourist destinations,” LG Sinha said.

He also spoke on the key policy interventions and institutional support extended by the government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the last few years to promote local entrepreneurship and encourage industrial development in J&K.

The LG said that the incentives under the New Industrial Scheme made significant strides in transforming J&K’s industrial landscape.

“The peace and favourable condition also ensured more direct investment in the tourism and hospitality sector of J&K,” he said.

“It is a matter of great pride for J&K that the handloom sector has been revived and through better market linkage, the products are being recognized throughout the globe. I am confident that our MSMEs in this sector will meet the new challenges and benefit from the new opportunities,” LG Sinha said.

He also highlighted the significant role of private players in diversifying tourism offerings and developing better tourist-centric facilities in J&K.

“Peace is a prerequisite for development, thriving business, and a flourishing tourism sector. We are also witnessing a rise in Peace Stakeholders, that reflects the changed picture of Jammu Kashmir,” the LG said.

The workshop is a part of the NITI Aayog’s State Workshop Series - an initiative under the State Support Mission.

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, Anurag Goyal; Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department, Talat Parvez Rohella and Director, IIM Jammu, Prof B S Sahay were also present on the occasion.