JAMMU, June 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has approved a series of major development initiatives, including the construction of PM Ekta Malls in Jammu and Srinagar at a combined cost of ₹255 crore, along with key decisions related to reservation, rehabilitation, healthcare and irrigation.
The Cabinet approved the construction of a PM Ekta Mall at Rail Head Complex, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, at a cost of ₹125 crore and another at Kashmir Haat, Srinagar, costing ₹130 crore. The projects are aimed at promoting the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, GI-tagged products, handicrafts and tourism under the Centre’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme.
The Union Ministry of Finance has already sanctioned ₹200 crore in special assistance for the projects, with the first instalment of ₹50 crore each released for the two malls. The projects will be executed by the Public Works (R&B) Department and later operated under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Cabinet also approved the Social Welfare Department’s response to queries raised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the proposed reservation policy. The response justifies reducing the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota from 10% to 3% and the Resident of Backward Areas (RBA) quota from 10% to 7%, citing demographic data and the exclusion of Ladakh from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir.
In another key decision, the Cabinet approved a rehabilitation and resettlement plan for shopkeepers and kiosk owners affected by the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project at Nai Basti, Satwari. Three kanals of land at Gole Gujral have been transferred to the Jammu Municipal Corporation for developing a new municipal market, with government funding to support rehabilitation.
The Cabinet also approved the transfer of 50 kanals of land in Sopore’s Amargarh village for the construction of a Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital in Baramulla district.
Additionally, post-facto administrative approval was granted to the ₹170.5 crore Tral Lift Irrigation Scheme under PMKSY-AIBP. The project, completed in 2021, provides irrigation facilities to over 3,400 hectares of agricultural land across 25 villages in Pulwama district.
All Cabinet decisions are subject to the approval of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha before implementation.
