Finance Minister highlights Rs 17,000 crore support for J&K

New Delhi, July 30: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her response to the Union Budget discussion on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha, emphasised the government’s commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit and providing substantial aid to Jammu and Kashmir.

The finance minister highlighted the significant financial allocation for J&K in this year’s Union Budget, amounting to Rs 17,000 crore.

“We have provided substantial financial support of Rs 17,000 crore in the Union Budget for Jammu and Kashmir this year. This includes Rs 12,000 crore towards financing the cost of the J&K Police,” she said.

Sitharaman said that the Centre takes on this financial burden to allow J&K greater flexibility in investing in development activities.

In response to a query from Member of the Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmed regarding the welfare of tribals in J&K, the finance minister outlined several initiatives undertaken by J&K.

She said that multiple projects have been launched to support tribal communities in these critical areas in healthcare, education, and culture initiatives.

The finance minister said that regarding forest rights, after two decades, forest rights had been guaranteed to tribal communities with 5943 forest rights certificates issued.

She said that the first-ever survey of the nomadic tribal population had been conducted.

Sitharaman said transport facilities were provided to nomadic tribes and Bakerwals who migrate seasonally.

She said that migrating communities were provided with transit accommodation, community kitchens, and medical and veterinary dispensaries.

The finance minister said that professional coaching centres, scholarships, and skilling centres benefit 48,000 tribal youth.

She said eight new hostel buildings, 285 smart schools, and six residential schools had been established.

Sitharaman said that 80 schools were being developed in tribal areas.

She said that under Prime Minister Adarsh Yojana, 186 tribal villages were being developed while a Tribal Research Institute was being established in Srinagar.

The finance minister said that these initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to the development and welfare of the tribal communities in J&K, ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources for a better quality of life.