House Passes Grants for R&B, Industries, Mining Departments; MSME Health Clinic Launched in J&K
Jammu, Feb 13: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said that Jammu and Kashmir has attracted industrial investment worth over ₹19,641 crore, while 1,145 road projects worth ₹5,245 crore have been sanctioned across the Union Territory.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during discussions on grants for the departments under his charge — Public Works (R&B), Industries and Commerce, Labour and Employment, Skill Development, and Mining — the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the Government’s focus on boosting investment, promoting MSMEs, and generating employment under Mission YUVA.
He said a robust and extensive road network is crucial for Jammu and Kashmir, given its challenging topography and limited scope for alternative modes of transportation.
Public Works (R&B)
Choudhary informed the House that over 40,000 km of road network has been developed across J&K to improve connectivity. Eighteen major MoRTH projects are in the pipeline this financial year, while 22 strategically important projects, mainly bridges, have been inaugurated.
Under PMGSY, 3,742 projects covering 22,581 km have been sanctioned, of which 3,570 projects spanning 20,250 km have been completed. Additionally, 2,513 eligible habitations have been identified for all-weather road connectivity.
He further said that 1,145 NABARD projects worth ₹5,245 crore have been sanctioned, with 525 completed and 620 ongoing. Under CRIF, 294 projects were sanctioned, of which 211 have been completed and 83 are in progress.
Under SASCI, 41 projects (32 roads and 9 bridges) have been sanctioned, while 7,068 works were approved under Capex 2025-26, with 3,932 targeted for completion by March 2026.
The Deputy CM said unprecedented rainfall in August 2025 caused significant damage to road infrastructure, particularly in Jammu region. An estimate exceeding ₹1,000 crore has been submitted for restoration under SASCI funding, while works worth ₹500 crore have already been authorized under priority measures.
Industries & Commerce
Highlighting industrial growth, Choudhary said that during 2025-26, investments worth ₹5,349 crore have been grounded till January 2026 — nearly twelve times the annual average prior to 2020.
Under the Central Industrial Development Package (NCSS) of ₹28,400 crore, 971 applications involving investments of ₹14,292 crore have been registered.
He said Jammu and Kashmir secured 5th rank nationally in the Business Reform Action Plan in November 2025. The UT was also ranked second among Small States, North-Eastern States and Union Territories in NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024.
For the first time, an MSME Health Clinic has been launched in collaboration with IIM Jammu. Data of 417 MSME units has been uploaded on the portal, and 70 sickness-prone units have been identified for revival. Udyam registrations have risen to six lakh this year.
Mining
On the Mining Department, the Deputy CM said the Government is focusing on sustainable mineral resource utilization, leveraging limestone, gypsum, marble and other key minerals.
The Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSSS) has been implemented, using satellite imaging, GPS and geospatial tools to monitor operations and curb illegal mining. So far, 3,065 GPS devices have been installed in mineral transport vehicles, with 2,473 linked to the system.
This year, over 40 non-compliant vehicles were seized, ₹2.50 lakh recovered, 7,500 seizures made and 234 FIRs lodged.
The Department has auctioned 238 RBM blocks since 2020-21, granting 208 mining leases. E-auction of seven limestone blocks is underway, expected to generate over ₹70 crore in 2026-27. The Union Ministry of Mines has sanctioned ₹100 crore as incentive for key reforms under SASCI 2025-26.
Labour & Skill Development
Choudhary said 36.28 lakh unorganised workers have been registered on the e-Shram portal. Funds amounting to ₹244.64 lakh have been spent on labour Sarais in Rajouri and Kathua.
He said 1.35 lakh entrepreneurship units are being created to generate employment for 4.5 lakh youth over five years.
Under Skill Development initiatives, 90,000 youth have been trained in traditional and emerging sectors, including AI, cyber security and green jobs under PMKVY 4.0.
Later, MLAs withdrew their cut motions following the Deputy CM’s assurances, and the House passed grants through voice vote for all the concerned departments
