Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that the return of an elected government after a gap of several years in Jammu and Kashmir has strengthened public faith in democratic institutions.
Sinha was addressing the opening of the 27-day budget session of the assembly, spread over three months. On his arrival at the assembly complex, the LG was welcomed by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was present in the assembly.
“The past year marks a significant milestone in the democratic journey of Jammu and Kashmir with the formation of an elected Government after a gap of several years. This transition to popular governance has strengthened public faith in democratic institutions. My Government has focused on restoring participatory governance, rebuilding public confidence, and ensuring that the voice of every region and community finds expression in policymaking,” he said.
The LG said that “During the last one year, the government has placed renewed emphasis on responsive and people-centric administration. Thousands of grievances have been resolved through time-bound interventions, reinforcing trust between the Government and the people”.
“This session holds special significance as it offers an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey, review our achievements, and chart a clear roadmap for the future. It reaffirms shared commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the LG said.
He stressed that “Good governance continues to be the cornerstone of the government’s development strategy in Jammu and Kashmir. Sustained reforms in transparency, accountability, digital governance, and citizen-centric service delivery have significantly strengthened public trust and institutional efficiency. The digital transformation has imparted new momentum to development and reinforced corruption-free governance, with over 1,500 public services available online and 391 services integrated with the auto-appeal system to ensure timely delivery”.
“The development trajectory of Jammu and Kashmir continues to be guided by the foundational principles of Economy, Ecology, and Equity. These principles are not merely aspirational, but serve as the guiding framework for policy formulation and implementation”.
Dwelling on the economic growth of the UT, the LG said, “Jammu & Kashmir is one of the fastest-growing States/UTs in the country. GST revenue collection has shown steady growth from Rs 8064 Crore in 2023-24 to Rs 8586 Crore in 2024-25. The tariff from electric power has witnessed a substantial increase of 16 per cent in 2024-25”.
“The economy of Jammu and Kashmir has demonstrated encouraging momentum in recent years. The Union Territory is presently recording an annual nominal growth rate of around 11 per cent (2024-25), reflecting the positive outcomes of sustained policy reforms, enhanced infrastructure development, and proactive investment facilitation. The government remains committed to consolidating this growth trajectory through strengthened fiscal discipline and by creating diversified and sustainable employment opportunities, with particular emphasis on youth and women,” he added.
Hitting out at the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Waheed Para, leader of the PDP legislature party, in his reaction said, “The LG address omits statehood. The vision document is drafted and vetted by our elected J&K government”.