jammu and kashmir ministry of tourism

One Earth One Family One Nation

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi

Katra Bhawan

Hari Niwas palace

Gharana Wetlands

Cruise Boat

Mubarak Mandi

Padri (Bahderwah)

Patnitop Snow View

Sunrise Lake

Dal Lake View

Kashmiri Dance

Gulmarg Bowl

Ranjit Sagar Lake (Basholi)

Welcome to the Department of Tourism

The department of tourism, j&k is the main developmental, promotional and regulatory arm of the j&k government. tourism sector is the prime driver of the economy of jammu & kashmir. as such, the department of tourism has a significant role to prepare and project the ut of j&k as a preferred tourist destination in the country. the department has two provincial directorates one each at jammu and srinagar and tourist offices at all tourist resorts of the ut. in addition, there are 6 promotional offices outside the ut, one each at new delhi, mumbai, ahmadabad, hyderabad, chennai and kolkata.. besides there are 20 area specific tourism development authorities in ut each headed by a chief executive officer, actively involved in harnessing the tourism potential and creation of tourist infrastructure in the areas of their operation..

• Notifications
• Condemnation of Vehicle of Dodhpathri Development Authority
• Constitution of Committee for handing taking over of assets of the project Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine sanctioned under PRASAD
• Familiarization Tour( Fam Tour) in jammu and Kashmir.
• Constitution of Technical Inspection Committee for Ski Drag Lift Gulmarg.
• Construction of tracks leading to Shri Amarnathji Cave-Advance Drawl Authorization/release of funds under Capex Budget 2023-24 thereof
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for adhering to timelines Prescribed for verfication of character and Antecedents-Nominiation of Nodal Officer regarding
• Three (3) day Jammu & Kashmir Development Conference 2024
• Accord of administrative approval to the Installation of vertical lift from Peerkho station of Jammu Ropeway project to Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex at an estimated cost of Rs. 25.07 Crore
• Accord of Administrative Approval for Maintenance of class 9 road from Ranga Morh to Domail and Maintenance and improvement of food tracks from Domail and Chandanwari ti Shri Amarnathji Holy Cave.
• Grant of earned leave in favour of Mr Malik Wasem Ahmad Deputy Director Tourism Recreation DTK, alongwith Station Permission
• Simplification of Registration under Tourist Trade Act 1978/1982/2011- Reconstitution of committee thereof
• Procurement of pick up Van for sanitation by Sonamarg Development Authority advance drawal of funds thereof
• Release of Matching Share of Grants to Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS) Pahalgam (JKUT)
• Station leaving permission in favour of Mr Shamim Kraipak Deputy Manager SKICC
• Initiation of RDA Aganist Shri Muhammad Shafi Kakroo Then Dy Director tourism Kashmir (Registration Registration)
• Permission to avail Earned Leave (under LTC) in favour of Ms Heena Mumtaz Head Assistants Tourism Department
• Grant of Extension in Earned leave in favour of Shri Gh.Jeelani Zargar (JKAS) CEO Lolab Bangus Tourism Drangyari Development Authority
• Constitution of Committee for Solarisation of Government Buildings in the Department of Tourism
• Absorption of 145 Employees of Hotal Corporation of India Limited (HCIL) working at centaur Lake View Hotel Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation Ltd and Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre Srinagar
• Consttitution of UT-Level Committee For various competitions organized by the Ministry of Tourosm Government of India
• Transfer and Posting
• Purchase of 4 x4 Pick-up Van for sanitation at Sonamarg
• Grant of twenty-five (25) days earned leave in favour of Shri Gh. Jeelani Zargar, JKAS CEO Lolab Bangus Tourism Drangyari Development Authority
• Simplification of Registration under Tourist Trade Act 1978 1982 2011 Constitution of Committee thereof
• Nomination Change of nomination of Nodal Officer to function as Chief Data Office for the Administrative Department in the UT 0f J&K
• Permission to avail Earned leave ( Under LTC) in favour of Mr Fayaz Ahmad Sheen Assistant Accounts Officer
• Delegation of Drawing and Disbursing powers in favour Accounts Officer Kashmir golf Course Srinagar
• Engagement of PMU Unit in Tourism Department for Consultancy Services Advance drawal thereof
• Grant of Earned Leave in favour Shri Ghalib Mohi-Ud-Din ShahCEO Aharbal Tourism Development Authority
• Participation of J&K Tourism in OTM Mumbai on 8th February to 10th February 2024
• Nomination of Nodal Officer for the purpose of referral of vacancies to the Recruiting Agencias
• Grant of earned leave in fovour of Mr. Ahsan-ul-Haq Chisti, Deputy Director Tourism, Kashmir alongwith Station Permission.
• Minutes of the Senior Selection Committee (SSC) meeting of SKICC held under the chairmanship of Secretary Tourism on 02.11.2023
• Particpation of J&K Tourism in Bharat Parv-2024
• Committee for selection J&K Tourism s under Challenge based Destinations Developments sub scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0
• Assihnment of Additional Charge to Mr Reheel Ahmad Bhat Statistical Assistant Aharbal Tourism Development Authority
• (Corrigendum to Government order No 126-JK(TSM) of 2023) Participation of JK Tourism in 14th Coventions India Conclave CIC from 7th 9th December 2023 at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition centre Gandhinagar Gujarat to Promote J&K as MICE destination
• Exchange of Huts at Pahalgam between Directorate of Tourism Kashmir and JK Tourism Development Corporation
• Committees for Selection J&KTourism s proposals under various schemes and competitions.
• (Corrigendum to Government order No 133-JK(TSM) of 2023) Constitution of project Evealuation committe for hiring project management Unit PMU for providing consultancy services to the Department of Tourism Jammu and Kashmir
• Release of funds as non- Recurring Share of JKUT to Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & winter Sports JIM&WS Pahalgam J&K for the financial year 2022 23 & 2023 24 under Grant-in Aid
• Participation of J&K Tourism in Bharat Parv 2024
• Condemnation of Vehicle of J&K Tourism Development Corporation
• Grant of G P Fund withdrawal Non Refundable in favour of Bilal Khurshid Chief Exective Officer Yousmarg Dev Authority
• Travel for LIFE Case study Competition. Government Order
• Constitution of a Committee for verification of liabilities incurred by JKTDC.
• Accord of Administrative Approval
• Grant of G P Fund withdrawal Non-Refundable in favour of Mr Bakshi Javid Hamayun Director SkICC
• Construction of trachs leading to Shri Amarnathji cave-Advance Drawi Authorization release of funds under capex Budget 2023-24 thereof
• Participation of JK Tourism in 15th Annual Convention at Statue of Unity Gujarat from December 16th to 19th 2023
• Constitution of Committee for Development/updation of JK Tourism Website
• Assigning of additional charge of Legal matters of J&K Cable Car Corporation Ltd
• Participation of JK Tourism in 14th Coventions India Conclave CIC from 7th 9th December 2023 at Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition centre, Gandhinagar,Gujarat to Promote J&K as MICE destination
• Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational 2023
• Participation of Jk tourism in IITM Hyderabad Scheduled to be Held Ist to 3rd December 2023
• Deputation of Shri Javid Hamayun Bakshi, Director SKICC to Puri.
• Participation of JK Tourism in IITM pune is scheduled to be Held W e f 24th to 26 November 2023
• Participation of J&K Tourism in the International Film Festival of India being Held in Goa from 20th 24 Novembar 2023
• Repatriation of Ms Anjani Raina Head Assistant to Directorate of Tourism Jammu
• Grant of Earned leave in favour of Shri Romin Ahmad Sheikh JKAS CEO Verinag TDA
• Deputation of Civil Engineering staff to JK Cable Car Corporation Ltd.
• Assigning of the charge
• Amrit Kalash Yatra
• Nomination of Departmental Vigilance Officer DVO, in SKICC.
• Accord of Administrative Approval.
• Revised Accord of Administrative Approval for Development of Mansar circuit under Comprehensive Mansar Rejuvenation Development plan Phase-1.
• Assigning of DDO Powers.
• Participation of JK Tourism in IITM Mumbai w-e-f 12th - 14th October, 2023.
• Condemnation of Vehicles of JK Tourism Development Corporation.
• Release of funds under Capex Budget for the year 2021-22
• Construction of SkL Lift at Sonamarg-advance withdrawal thereof.
• Installation of Drag Lifts of Gulmarg near Kongdoori.
• 17/12/2021 - OWP No. 555/2017 titled Gh. Hussain Wani Vs State of J&k and Ors - Constitution of Fact Finding Committee
• 13/12/2021 - Adjustment of Civil Engineers
• 10/12/2021 - Sanction of Advance drawal
• 09/12/2021 - Construction of Yatri Niwas of Chanderkote District Ramban by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board - Authorization / release of funds under CAPEX 2021-22
• 08/12/2021 - Assignment of Additional Charges
• 03/12/2021 - Assignment of Additional Charges to Junior Engineers (Civil)
• 03.01.2024 - Following of procedure laid down in Secretariat Manual Regarding Creation of Files
• 24/03/2022 - Implementation of Business and citizen Reform Action Pan in Jammu and kashmir UT under Mandatyes of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living
• 15/12/2021 - Fixation of tariffs for various services/facilites provided by the registered Tourist traders to the tourists for the year 2021-2022 & 2022-2023
• Description of News 1 goes here - DD-MM-YYYY

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Department of Tourism

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India's Jammu and Kashmir receives most tourists in 75 years

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Mega tourism promotion event “Tapping the Potential of Kashmir: Another Day in Paradise” organized recently at Srinagar highlights tourism potential of Jammu & Kashmir in a big way Strategies to showcase best tourism products of Jammu & Kashmir to attract domestic tourists deliberated upon by the stakeholders at the event

In order to promote the various Tourism potentials of Jammu & Kashmir and to address the various opportunities in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality in the Union Territory Of Jammu & Kashmir the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India & Department of Tourism, Government Of Jammu & Kashmir in association with FICCI (Knowledge Partner), and IGTA organised a unique networking platform ‘Tapping the Tourism Potential of Kashmir: Another Day in Paradise’ recently at Srinagar. The Lt. Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha and Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/c)Shri Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated and virtually addressed the delegates at the event. The objective of the event was to showcase the myriad tourism products of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and promote tourism to Jammu & Kashmir as the destination for leisure, Adventure, Eco, Wedding , films and MICE Tourism. Secretary Tourism, GoI  Shri Arvind Singh; Adiviser to Lt. Governor of J&K, Mr Baseer Khan; Secretary Tourism, Govt of Jammu & Kashmir Mr Sarmad Hafeez; Additional Director General,MoT, Smt. Rupinder Brar and other senior officers were also present at the inaugural session.

The event received participation from who’s who from the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality sector, key Industry stakeholders and Policy makers from Kashmir and various parts of India.

A special event of one to one B2B meetings was also organized among key industry stake holders from Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Industry of Jammu and Kashmir and the delegates from rest of India at Srinagar. The meetings were attended by local tour operators, hoteliers, houseboat owners, transport companies and other key stake holders of Travel, Tourism & Hospitality from Kashmir as Sellers. The buyers included top notch Tour operators, DMC’s, Film personalities, Eco tourism specialists from various parts of India.

Addressing the gathering virtually during inaugural session Shri Manoj Sinha mentioned that the UT of J&K will come out with a new policy on Film shooting to attract film makers and promote the region as a hot spot film shooting destination.

Minister of State (IC) Tourism and Culture, Government of India, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel mentioned that the abrogation of Article 370 and other subsequent development works has given a big boost to tourist influx in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to the Lt. Governor, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Baseer Khan mentioned that it is encouraging to see that post lockdown the tourist footfalls at the UT of Jammu & Kashmir has increased significantly and coming 3-4 months during the summer season more tourists are expected to visit the destination. He also said that his Government is planning a long list of new destinations that could be showcased to attract more tourists.

Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Shri Arvind Singh said that they are keeping no stones unturned to revive tourism for Jammu and Kashmir, the effort started from the winter and the process will continue in summers especially for the domestic tourists.

Secretary- Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Sarmad Hafeez, on the occasion highlighted some of the historical tourism sites in the region and their importance.

Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Smt. Rupinder Brar mentioned that the rise of domestic tourism is the sign of revival and the conference will deliberate upon the strategies to showcase best tourism products of Jammu & Kashmir to attract domestic tourists.

Director -Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Dr. G.N. Itoo earlier made a presentation to the audience showcasing various tourist destinations of Jammu & Kashmir.

During plenary session on “Taking Kashmir to the next level as a preferred tourist Destination” the experts touched upon on various strategies on how best in a post pandemic world the tourists visit can be increased in the region. In other session on “Making Kashmir more eventful” the panel touched upon  the Wedding, MICE and Film Tourism potential of Kashmir. In another session on “Showcasing the diverse Tourism products of Kashmir” the experts debated on the various niche tourism potentials of Kashmir including Culture, Heritage, Film, Leisure & Golf Tourism. In the session “Wazwan, Zaffran, and Shikara – the story continues…” the experts said that Kashmir should not be mentioned as a “Restricted Area” for any Foreign Tourists. Global experts can be consulted to develop Tourism in Kashmir. International destinations similar to Kashmir like Switzerland etc should be seen as a case study for the betterment of Tourism in Kashmir. To promote Kashmir as a Culinary tourism destination, separate visual strategies like a logo , video , images etc. related to food and cuisines should be considered.

To promote the Gastronomical Heritage of Kashmir the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India organized  live cooking classes with Master Chef India winner and celebrity Chef Pankaj Bhadouria & Chef Ranveer Brar. Both the Chefs visited and procured ingredients from the local market of Srinagar and gave live demonstrations of their cooking skills in Kashmiri cuisine to delegates and students of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Srinagar. The objective of the session was aimed at promoting the local culinary & cuisines of Kashmir to the rest of India and the world. 

An Exhibition of various Kashmiri garments, embroideries and food were organized at the conference venue. Along with this there was a Shikara and boat ride at Dal Lake for the delegates, which was followed by a beautiful Laser Show cum musical fountain at the Dal lake. The laser show project , which is now is  permanent feature at the SKICC in Dal Lake, has been funded by the Ministry of Tourism.

The Tulip garden of Kashmir is a unique tourism site which has featured in several Bollywood films has the potential of attracting tourists from all over the world. It is the largest tulip garden in Asia spread over an area of about 30 hectares. It is situated on the foothills of Zabarwan Range with an overview of Dal Lake. The garden was opened in 2007 with the aim to boost floriculture and tourism in Kashmir Valley. The best time to visit the Tulip Garden is between March-end and early April.

To promote Kashmir as an International Golf Tourism destination and to showcase the world class Golf Infrastructure of Kashmir, a Golf Tournament was organized at the Royal Spring Golf Course between the delegation of Golfers from various parts of India and local Golfers from Srinagar which was followed by an Award ceremony.

Kashmir has the potential to become India’s top and World’s one of the leading Golf Tourism destinations. Jammu & Kashmir offers outstanding opportunities for golf players all through the summer (April to November). Golfing in Jammu and Kashmir is always a delight and one of the main attractions among the tourists.

Ambassador of Vietnam H.E. Pham Sanh Chau who has been in various parts of the world compared the various natural beauty of Kashmir with various other natural beauty of the world incusing Canada, Switzerland, other parts of Europe, Vietnam and many more. As per him ,one can find the beauty of the entire world in Kashmir itself.

High Commissioner of Kenya His Excellency Willy Kipkorir Bett and Spouse of High Commissioner of Kenya Her Excellency Faith Jemvtai Bett both were completely overwhelmed with the Royal springs Golf course of Srinagar and mentioned it as a world class Golf destination. Her Excellency Bett also mentioned that she has become a great fan of Kashmiri cuisines. She specifically mentioned that she will try out a few dishes at home.

Ambassador of Georgia H.E. Archil was overwhelmed by the beauty of Gulmarg and he enjoyed Skiing during his visit to Gulmarg. He mentioned the slopes at Gulmarg are ideal for skiing and is one of the best in the world.

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Tourist inflow to kashmir ‘five times’ more this year than 2020: union minister.

LG Sinha, Union MoS Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel address event ‘Tapping the Potential of Kashmir: Another Day in Paradise’

Srinagar: The Ministry of Tourism has organised a mega tourism promotion event in Srinagar “Tapping the Potential of Kashmir: Another Day in Paradise” from 11th -13th April, 2021.

The Lt. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha and Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated and virtually addressed the delegates at the event.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in association with the Tourism Department of Jammu & Kashmir, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FICCI) and the Indian Golf Tourism Association (IGTA) have organised this event.

The objective of the event is to showcase the myriad tourism products of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and promote tourism to Jammu & Kashmir as the destination for leisure, Adventure, Eco, Wedding, films and MICE Tourism.

Secretary Tourism, GoI Arvind Singh; Adviser to Lt. Governor of J&K, Baseer Khan; Secretary Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir Sarmad Hafeez; Additional Director General, MoT, Rupinder Brar and other senior officers were also present at the inaugural session.

During his virtual address, Prahlad Singh Patel said that this event is a new endeavour by Tourism Ministry and other stakeholders to promote tourism in J&K.

The Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir witnessed five time hike in tourists in January 2021 in comparison to January 2020.

“This initiative will further help to revive tourism in the UT,” Patel said adding that “after the abolition of Article 370 and recovering from all the adverse conditions, tourists have started visiting J&K.”

Patel further added that J&K has archaeological, historical and natural beauty.

“We just need to promote them and this type of events play an important role by throwing up new ideas for creating better infrastructure,” he said.

In his virtual address, Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocating Rs 786 crore in the budget this year for development of tourism in UT, which is Rs 509 crore higher than the last time.

Sinha also expressed his gratitude towards Prahlad Singh Patel for his full support in making efforts to restore tourism in the UT.

Sinha added that Jammu & Kashmir has a great tourism potential and the administration will come up with a new film policy very soon, which will bring back the golden film era to Jammu & Kashmir.

Sinha explained that tourism has been badly hit by the pandemic.

“Keeping in mind health and other aspects of people involved, many measures have been taken to ensure safety of visiting tourists. Kashmir as a  destination for weddings, film tourism, MICE etc is looked forward to as it offers immense possibilities and we hope that the deliberations at the event will go a long way in showing the way forward,” he said.

The LG further elaborated that for the transformation of the tourism sector, five pillars will remain the focus which include sustainable development for the tourism industry, strengthening the hospitality sector, Human resource development, development of golf and popularisation of food.

Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Arvind Singh said that the ‘Paradise on Earth’ is abundantly blessed with tourism potential.

“Tourism is one of the largest contributors to the economy of the Kashmir region as most of the economic activities are based on tourism and allied services,” he added.

He further said that COVID 19 pandemic has impacted the world in an unprecedented manner and brought it to a standstill. A drastic reduction in human mobility and tourism, suspension of international flights, the closure of airports and borders, the adoption of strict restrictions on travel etc. have caused a prolonged crisis for all the segments of the economy and more so to the tourism industry. However, signs of recovery have been witnessed.

Srinagar has witnessed record tourist visits since December 2020 and as per information all the hotels are completely booked till June 2021. This is a very encouraging news. I am happy for this opportunity to revive Tourism in the state and partner with the stakeholders to develop tourism in the state thereby also providing with employment opportunities to the youth in the state.

Plenary Sessions on 12th April 2021 also included four Panel Discussions on the subjects, ‘Taking Kashmir to the next level as preferred tourist destination’, ‘Making Kashmir more eventful’, Showcasing the Diverse Tourism Products of Kashmir’and ‘Wazwan,  Zaffran, and Shikara the story Continues…’ and a ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ with Master Chef Pankaj Bhadouria. The Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir also organized a Laser Show at the famous Dal Lake followed by a Cultural Programme .A Golf Tournament is also being organized at the picturesque Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar for important invitees including Diplomats from Kenya and Vietnam.

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After elections, opposition will split; rahul will run away from wayanad: pm modi, ugc net june 2024 registration to begin likely by tomorrow, study warns of millions at risk as nearly half of major chinese cities are sinking, amit shah jabs at rahul gandhi and mehbooba mufti: ‘no one dares to…’, bollywood comes calling: famous filmmaker sandeep singh to shoot 200-episode series in kashmir, four fall into kulgam trench, two critical, persistent rainfall and dropping temperatures grip j&k.

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Today, Jammu and Kashmir is breaking all tourism records: PM Modi in Srinagar

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir program in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir today.

He dedicated to the nation Holistic Agriculture Development Programme worth about Rs 5000 crores and launched multiple projects related to the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1400 crore under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD scheme including the project for ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’, Srinagar.

The Prime Minister also launched the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’ and announced tourist destinations selected under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. distributed appointment orders to about 1000 new Government recruits of Jammu and Kashmir and will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes including women achievers, lakhpati didis, farmers, entrepreneurs etc. 

Nazim Nazeer from Pulwama who is a beekeeper described his journey to the Prime Minister about expanding his business by availing benefits from the government where he bought 25 boxes for beekeeping at a 50 percent subsidy. He also threw light on his economic growth throughout the journey where he gradually expanded to 200 boxes for beekeeping by availing Rs 5 lakhs under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme. This led to Mr Nazeer building a brand for himself and creating a website that further generated thousands of orders worth about 5000 kilograms across the nation, growing his business to almost 2000 beekeeping boxes and engaging about 100 youth from the region. He further informed the Prime Minister about receiving an FPO in 2023 which has only helped him grow his business. He also thanked the Prime Minister for launching the Digital India initiative that has transformed the fintech landscape in the country.

The Prime Minister lauded Mr Nazim’s effort for leading the way to a sweet revolution in Jammu & Kashmir and congratulated him on his success. Upon the Prime Minister’s enquiry about getting initial support from the government to establish the business, Mr Nazim said that even though he faced initial difficulty, the Department of Agriculture came forward and supported his cause. Noting that the business of beekeeping is a fairly new sector, the Prime Minister highlighted its benefits and said that bees, in a way, work like farm laborers making it beneficial for crops. Mr Nazim said that landowners are ready to offer land for beekeeping at no cost as the process is also beneficial for the farmers. The Prime Minister suggested Mr Nazim research the honey produced in Central Asia around the Hindu Kush mountains and also asked him to look towards crafting a new taste for honey by growing specific flowers around the boxes as it is a niche market. He also mentioned similar successful efforts in Uttarakhand.

Prime Minister Modi expressed delight at Acacia Honey’s price going up to Rs 1000 per kg from Rs 400 per kg due to high demand across the world. The Prime Minister lauded the clarity of thought and vision, and the courage shown by Mr. Nazim in running his business and also congratulated his parents. He said that Mr Nazim is also giving direction to the youth of India and becoming an inspiration.  

Ahtesham Majid Bhat of Srinagar is a bakery entrepreneur who through a food technology skill development programme brought in new innovations in bakery. She was supported by the incubation center at Government Polytechnic for Women Skill Development. Government single window system helped her and her team in getting all the NoCs from various departments. The Prime Minister told her that in the last 10 years, the government has been providing all the support to the crores of youth in realizing their startup dreams. The Prime Minister praised her for involving her friends from different districts in her entrepreneurial ventures. “It is our efforts that the ideas of our youth do not suffer from the deficiency of resources and finance. They should move with confidence. These daughters of Jammu and Kashmir are creating new inspiring examples for the youth of the entire nation”, the Prime Minister said. He praised them for taking care of the underprivileged daughters. 

Hamida Bano of Ganderbal is involved in the dairy business. She informed the Prime Minister that she benefited from National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) and opened a processing unit for milk products. She employed other women also. She also informed the Prime Minister about the quality check, packaging and marketing of products. Her milk products are devoid of preservatives and she informed the Prime Minister about the elaborate way of marketing her fragile product. The Prime Minister praised her for her business acumen and also for carrying on the work of nutrition. He also complimented her for taking care of quality and doing her business in an environment-friendly way. 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the feeling of arriving in heaven on earth cannot be put into words. “This unparalleled form of nature, the air, the valley, the environment and the love and affection of Kashmiri brothers and sisters”, he remarked. He also acknowledged the presence of citizens outside the venue, and more than 1 lakh people from 285 blocks connected to the event via video link. Underlining that the new Jammu & Kashmir is the one that has been awaited for decades, the Prime Minister said, “Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerji had sacrificed for this Jammu and Kashmir.” He stated that the new Jammu and Kashmir has the sparkle for the future in its eyes and the determination to clear all obstacles. “140 crore citizens feel at peace when they see the smiling faces of the people of Jammu & Kashmir”, PM Modi said. 

Expressing his gratitude for the affection of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said “Modi will not leave any stone unturned to repay this debt of affection. I am doing all this hard work to win your hearts and I believe that I am on the right path. I will continue my efforts to win your hearts. This is Modi’s guarantee and all of you know that Modi’s Guarantee means the guarantee of fulfillment of guarantee”.

Recalling his recent visit to Jammu where he started infrastructure and education projects worth Rs 32,000 crores, PM Modi mentioned today’s projects related to tourism and development, and agriculture along with appointment letters that were distributed today. “Power of development, potential of tourism, capabilities of farmers and leadership of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir will pave the way for Viksit Jammu Kashmir”, the Prime Minister said. “Jammu Kashmir is not just a place, Jammu Kashmir is the head of India. And a head held high is a symbol of development and respect. Therefore, Viksit Jammu and Kashmir is the priority of Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister recalled the time when laws implemented in the country were not implemented in Jammu & Kashmir and mentioned schemes for the welfare of the poor that could not be availed by the deprived. Highlighting the change of fortunes, the Prime Minister said that schemes for the entire nation have been launched today from Srinagar and Jammu & Kashmir is leading the way for tourism in the country. Therefore, the Prime Minister said, people from more than 50 places in India have joined the occasion. He touched upon the six projects that are being dedicated to the nation today under Swadesh Darshan scheme as well as the initiation of its next phase. He informed that around 30 projects have been launched for various cities in the country including Srinagar while 3 projects have been inaugurated and 14 others launched under PRASAD scheme. He further stated that the development works being carried out in the holy Hazratbal Dargah for the convenience of the people have also been completed. The Prime Minister informed about the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice’ campaign where 40 places have been identified by the government to be developed as tourist destinations in the next 2 years. Under the campaign, the Prime Minister explained that the government would develop the most preferred tourist destinations based on public opinion. He also mentioned the ‘Chalo India’ campaign to encourage NRIs to come to India. Congratulating the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir for the development works of today, the Prime Minister said that it will help in developing the tourism industry of the region and creating new employment opportunities. 

The Prime Minister stated, “When intentions are noble and there is a determination to fulfill commitments, results are bound to follow.” He highlighted the successful hosting of the G-20 summit in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Addressing the transformative growth in tourism, the Prime Minister noted, “There was a time when people questioned who would visit Jammu and Kashmir for tourism. Today, Jammu and Kashmir are breaking all tourism records.” He further elaborated, “In 2023 alone, Jammu and Kashmir welcomed over 2 crore tourists, surpassing previous records. Over the past 10 years, the Amarnath Yatra has witnessed the highest number of pilgrims participating, and Vaishno Devi also recorded a significant increase in devotee footfall.” Highlighting the surge in foreign tourist arrivals and the growing attraction for celebrities and international guests, the Prime Minister stated, “Now, even prominent celebrities and foreign guests visit the valleys of Jammu and Kashmir to explore and create videos and reels.”

Moving on to agriculture, the Prime Minister emphasized the strength of Jammu and Kashmir’s agricultural produce, including saffron, apples, dried fruits, and cherries, branding the region as a significant agricultural hub. He said that the Rs 5,000 crore agricultural development program will result in unprecedented growth in the agricultural sector of Jammu and Kashmir over the next 5 years, particularly focusing on horticulture and livestock development. “This initiative will create thousands of new opportunities, especially in the fields of horticulture and animal husbandry”, he said. 

Additionally, he mentioned direct transfers of nearly ₹3,000 crore under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to the accounts of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir. To enhance the storage capacity for fruits and vegetables and ensure their prolonged preservation, significant investments have been made to increase storage facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, the Prime Minister pointed out that the commencement of the ‘world’s largest warehousing scheme’, will include the construction of numerous warehouses across Jammu and Kashmir.

Noting the rapid pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister mentioned 2 AIIMS as AIIMS Jammu has already been inaugurated and work is going on at AIIMS Kashmir. He talked about 7 new medical colleges, 2 cancer hospitals and institutes like IIT and IIM in the region. He said that 2 Vande Bharat trains are running in Jammu and Kashmir and rail services from Srinagar to Sangaldan and from Sangaldan to Baramul have started. This expansion of connectivity has given a push to economic activities. Referring to new projects to make Jammu and Srinagar as smart cities, the Prime Minister said “In the coming times, the success story of Jammu and Kashmir will become an example for the whole world.”

Recalling his mentions of handicrafts and cleanliness of the region in his Mann ki Baat programme, the Prime Minister underlined Jammu Kashmir’s connection with lotus. 

Highlighting the efforts of the government for the development of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir in every field, the Prime Minister said that new opportunities are being created ranging from skill development to sports and mentioned the modern sports facilities being built in every district of Jammu and Kashmir. He gave the example of multi-purpose indoor sports halls built in 17 districts and Jammu & Kashmir hosting many national sports tournaments. “Now Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as the winter sports capital of the country. Nearly 1000 players have participated in the recently held Khelo India Winter Games”, the Prime Minister added. 

“Jammu & Kashmir is breathing freely today, hence achieving new heights”, the Prime Minister said noting the abrogation of Article 370 which has led to the respect of the youth’s talent and equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone. He spoke about the refugees from Pakistan, the Valmiki community and sanitation workers getting voting rights, fulfilling the demand of the Valmiki community for SC category, reservation of seats in the assembly for Scheduled Tribes, Paddari tribe, and the inclusion of Paddari tribe, Pahari ethnic group, Gadda Brahmin and Koli communities in the Scheduled Tribes.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that dynastic politics in Jammu & Kashmir deprived the right to reservation to other backward classes in Panchayat, Municipality and Municipal Corporation as provided in the government. “Today every class is being returned its rights”, PM Modi added. 

Dwelling on the transformation of the J&K Bank the Prime Minister recalled the mismanagement of the past and called it a victim of dynasty politics and corruption. The Prime Minister listed the reforms to restore the health of the bank. He mentioned 1000 crore rupees assistance to the bank and action against wrongful appointments.

The Anti Corruption Bureau is still investigating thousands of such appointments. He highlighted the transparent recruitments in the last 5 years. As a result, the J&K Bank profit has reached Rs 1700 crores and business has reached Rs 2.25 lakh crores from Rs 1.25 crore rupees 5 years ago. Deposits also increased from Rs 80,000 crores to Rs 1.25 lakh crores. NPA that had crossed 11 percent 5 years ago has been brought down to below 5 percent. The share of the bank has also seen 12 fold rise to about Rs 140 from Rs 12 5 years ago. “When there is an honest government, the intention is for the welfare of the people, then the people can be brought out of every difficulty”, PM Modi added.

Pointing out that Jammu & Kashmir has been the biggest victim of dynastic politics since independence, the Prime Minister assured the people that the development campaign for Jammu & Kashmir will not stop at any cost and the region will develop more rapidly in the next 5 years.

The Prime Minister concluded his address by extending his best wishes to the entire nation on the holy month of Ramzan. “It is my wish that everyone should get the message of peace and harmony from the month of Ramadan. Tomorrow is Mahashivratri, I wish everyone the best of this holy festival”, PM Modi concluded.  

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha and Union Minister of State, Dr Jitendra Singh were present on the occasion among others.

In a step that will provide a major boost to the agri-economy of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister dedicated ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Programme’ (HADP) to the nation. HADP is an integrated program encompassing the full spectrum of activities in the three major domains of agri-economy viz Horticulture, Agriculture and Livestock husbandry in Jammu and Kashmir. The programme will equip about 2.5 lakh farmers with skill development via a dedicated Daksh Kisan portal. Under the programme, about 2000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars will be established and robust value chains will be put in place for the welfare of the farming community. The programme will lead to employment generation benefiting lakhs of marginal families in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister’s vision is to improve the overall experience of tourists and pilgrims visiting prominent pilgrimage and tourism sites nationwide by building world-class infrastructure and amenities at these sites. In line with this, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and launched multiple initiatives under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes worth more than Rs 1400 crore. The projects being dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister include development of ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ in Srinagar, J&K; tourism facilities developed in Northeast circuit in Meghalaya; Spiritual Circuit in Bihar and Rajasthan; Rural and Tirthankar Circuit in Bihar; development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, Jogulamba Gadwal District, Telangana; and development of Amarkantak Temple, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh.

To create world-class infrastructure and amenities for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Hazratbal Shrine, and to enhance their holistic spiritual experience, the project ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ has been executed. The key components of the project include site development of the entire area including the construction of boundary wall of the Shrine; illumination of Hazratbal shrines precinct; improvement of Ghats and Devri Paths around the Shrine; construction of Sufi interpretation center; construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre; installation of signages; multilevel storied car parking; construction of public convenience block and entrance Gateway of the Shrine among others.

The Prime Minister also launched about 43 projects that will develop a wide range of pilgrimage and tourist sites across the country. These include important religious sites like the Annavaram Temple in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh; Navagraha Temples in Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai District of Tamilnadu and Karaikal district of Puducherry; Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple, Mysore District, Karnataka; Karni Mata Mandir, Bikaner District Rajasthan; Maa Chintpurni Temple, Una District, Himachal Pradesh; Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Goa, among others. The projects also include development of various other sites and experience centers like Mechuka Adventure Park in Arunachal Pradesh; Rural Tourism Cluster Experience at Gunji, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand; Ecotourism zone at Ananthagiri forest, Ananathagiri, Telangana; Meghalayan Age Cave Experience and Waterfall Trails Experience at Sohra, Meghalaya; Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate, Jorhat, Assam; Ecotourism experience at Kanjli Wetland, Kapurthala, Punjab; Julley Leh Biodiversity Park, Leh, among others.

During the programme, the Prime Minister announced 42 tourist destinations selected under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. The innovative scheme, announced during Union Budget 2023-24, aims to provide end-to-end tourist experiences by catalyzing the development of tourist destinations while also promoting sustainability and ushering competitiveness in the tourism sector. The 42 destinations have been identified in four categories – 16 in Culture & Heritage Destination, 11 in spiritual destinations, 10 in Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar and 5 in Vibrant Village.     

The Prime Minister launched the first-ever nationwide initiative to identify the pulse of the nation on tourism, in the form of ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice 2024’. The nationwide poll aims to engage with citizens to identify the most preferred tourist attractions and understand tourist perceptions across 5 tourism categories – Spiritual, Cultural & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Adventure, and other categories. Besides the four main categories, the ‘other’ category is where one can vote for their personal favorites and help uncover hidden tourism gems in the form of unexplored tourism attractions and destinations like Vibrant Border Villages, Wellness Tourism, Wedding Tourism etc. This poll exercise is being hosted on the MyGov platform, the citizen engagement portal of the Government of India.

The Prime Minister launched the ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’ to inspire the Indian diaspora to become Incredible India ambassadors and promote tourism to India. The campaign is being launched based on the clarion call of the Prime Minister, wherein he requested Indian diaspora members to encourage at least 5 non-Indian friends to travel to India. With more than 3 crore overseas Indians, the Indian diaspora can serve as a powerful catalyst for Indian tourism, acting as cultural Ambassadors.

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• J&K tourism department propagates policy initiatives, investment opportunities in the U/T

The UT administration under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, plans to make appropriate policy interventions to create investment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. The aim of policy interventions is to create new infrastructure facilities and upgrade the existing ones through private participation for the overall growth of the tourism sector to generate more employment opportunities, a release stated.

• Updated On Apr 17, 2023 at 09:16 AM IST

Jammu & Kashmir’s Zojila Tunnel to give flip to tourism, employment

Once the Zojila Tunnel is operational, tourism in Jammu & Kashmir will increase two to three times, claimed Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. This tunnel will provide year-round connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. The minister suggested that more adventure activities be set up in the Union Territory to attract tourists.

• Published On Apr 17, 2023 at 08:00 AM IST

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Voting begins in J-K’s Kathua-Udhampur LS seat, Union Minister seeks 3rd term

Voters Arrive in Small Groups at Banihal Polling Stations, Queues Form in Kathua

Jammu: Voting was underway in the Kathua-Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

Rain in the morning affected the voter turnout at the polling stations in Ramban district and at many places in Udhampur district.

Voting in progress for Madhya Pradesh’s six Lok Sabha seats

• Arunachal’s simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls commence
• Uttar Pradesh begins voting for Eight Lok Sabha seats

Voters started coming out in small groups to the polling stations in the Banihal area of Ramban district while small voter queues had started building up at various polling stations in Kathua district.

Reports from Doda and Kishtwar districts also indicate initial low turnout at the polling stations.

Poll officials said the voting is gradually picking up.

Dr Jitendra Singh of the BJP is challenged in this constituency mainly by Chaudhary Lal Singh of the Congress. The BJP candidate is seeking re-election for the third time from this constituency.

There are 12 candidates in the fray in this constituency including former minister, G.M. Saroori of Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).

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Udhampur Lok Sabha Election 2024: Key Things About Jammu and Kashmir's 'Biggest' Constituency

Reported By : Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra & Sohil Sinha

Last Updated: April 17, 2024, 16:15 IST

Udhampur, India

Voting for Lok Sabha election in Udhampur will take place on April 19. (Image: Shutterstock)

Voting for Lok Sabha polls in Udhampur will take place on April 19 in the first phase. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency is one of the six Parliamentary constituencies in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The constituency covers 20,230 square kilometre of mountainous Himalayan terrain, and is comparable to the size of Israel and is the biggest constituency in terms of geographical area. There are 17 assembly constituencies which make up the Lok Sabha constituency of Udhampur from four districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur and Kathua. Voting for Lok Sabha polls in Udhampur will take place on April 19 in the first phase. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

2019 Result and 2024 Candidates

In 2019, Dr Jitendra Singh won the Udhampur Lok Sabha election after bagging 7.24 lakh votes and a staggering vote share of 61.38%. He is the BJP candidate from the seat yet again.

The Congress has fielded former BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh from the Udhampur constituency. The DPAP of Ghulam Nabi Azad has fielded GM Saroori

Article 370 remains the biggest issue this election in Jammu and Kashmir. Hoever, at the constituency level, Udhampur sees several other issues like unemployment, development among others. Here’s a look at the key issues of Udhampur Lok Sabha seat:

Article 370

Four years after being revoked, Article 370 has taken centre stage in the poll campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, more so in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP is branding the revocation of the Article as the reason that all round development in the form of highways, railways, roads, rapid rail, metro, IITs, IIMs, medical colleges, AIIMS, tunnels and modern infrastructure could take place.

Religious Tensions

While areas like Kathua and Udhampur have a Hindu majority with pockets of Muslim population, the regions of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Bhaderwah are predominantly Muslim. This demographic divide has historically influenced voting patterns, with Hindu voters largely supporting the BJP and Muslim voters aligning with Congress. The 2019 election saw Ghulam Nabi Azad, now a tacit ally of BJP, lose the seat due to a surge in Hindu voter turnout. In the upcoming election, INC candidate Lal Singh faces a challenge in securing Muslim votes due to his BJP antecedents and controversial remarks in the past. Despite National Conference leaders, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, campaigning for Lal Singh in the Muslim-majority Chenab valley region, it remains uncertain whether their influence will sway Muslim voters. The religious divide and the historical voting patterns suggest that bridging this gap and securing votes across religious lines will be a significant challenge for Lal Singh and the Congress.

Ram Mandir is a big issue which is going to benefit BJP. BJP’s star campaigners are loudly seeking votes on Ram Mandir. The majority Hindu population in Udhampur see the Ram Mandir as a fulfilment of their long desire and has provided them a religious impetus which connects them with the rest of Hindus across India. Udhampur had also seen the participation of kar sevaks from the constituency back in 1992.

Frustration Over Unemployment

The residents of Udhampur have expressed growing discontent with the state of employment opportunities and hiring practices. There are accusations of local talent being overlooked for lucrative positions, which are instead being offered to individuals from outside the region. This has fostered a sense of resentment and the perception that local employees are treated as inferior. Despite the labour workforce participation rate standing at a high 79.12% the per capita income of around Rs 14,644 shows a different story.

Inflation is a major issue in Udhampur which the government has so far failed to address. Inflation has been on the rise for three straight years in Udhampur. Inflation has remained in double digits with 10.96% in 2022. Vegetable price rise rate jumped to 38.45%. This has led to the basic articles such as tomatoes, potatoes, pulses, cereals and paddy becoming out of reach of people in the lower economic strata. The opposition has also taken aim at the government for its inability to keep prices in check.

Development

Udhampur has seen a slew of developmental projects taking place in the constituency, which has improved connectivity, healthcare, and has also seen Udhampur becoming an educational hub in the region. Moreover, a development master plan has been put in place for the constituency to promote, guide and rationalise the future growth and development of urban centres. It will endorse growth in the desired direction, promote economic development, improving service delivery and providing amenities to its people.

Drinking Water

The issue has persisted for a significant amount of time, leaving many villages without a reliable water supply. According to reports, some areas have not received any water supply for over a year, forcing residents to rely on alternative and often unreliable sources like hand pumps and natural springs. The water scarcity has disrupted daily life for many residents, impacting sanitation, hygiene, and overall well-being. Women and children are disproportionately affected, as they often bear the responsibility of collecting water from distant sources. This situation is particularly concerning as it has led to health risks due to the consumption of potentially contaminated water.

Viksit Bharat schemes

The Udhampur-Kathua Lok Sabha constituency has achieved near saturation in all schemes, such as Kisan Credit Card, PM Ujjwal Yojana and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, being covered under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. While in agriculture related schemes like Kisan Credit Card and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana etc, besides PM Ujjwal Yojana, nearly 100% saturation has been achieved, Ayushman Card has achieved nearly 99% target and pace has been substantially increased for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana which has proved to be a game-changer by providing Pucca houses to those who had never dreamt of it or desired it. PM Vishwakarma Yojana has empowered artisans and craft persons by providing them financial assistance to propel their craft which was dying. The government is not only offering them a stipend but is also providing them training so that their businesses thrive, and more youth take up the craft which is fetching dwindling returns.

Infrastructure Development in Udhampur

From road infrastructure to rail and healthcare, Udhampur has seen new projects come up in the past few years.

Road Infrastructure

Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha constituency has witnessed unprecedented progress in road and bridge construction in the last over nine years, the notable among them being the Atal Setu at Basohli, Keediyan Gadyal and Juthana bridges in Kathua, Devika Bridge at Udhampur, new National Highway from Khilani-Marmat in Doda to Sudhmahadev, Kaljugar tunnel etc. Chattergala is a historic landmark project providing all-weather alternate road connectivity between the two distant regions and reducing the travel time from Doda to Lakhanpur to just around four hours. Chattergala Project envisages a 6.8 Km long tunnel for which the Feasibility Survey has already been conducted by Border Roads Organisation.

Rail Infrastructure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country’s longest railway tunnel on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link on Feb 20, 2024. The 12.77-km-long tunnel, known as T-50, is part of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, allowing trains to run from Baramulla to Sangaldan. The total length of the USBRL is 272 km and the cost of the project is Rs 41,119 crore.

Medical Colleges and Health Care infrastructure

Over the last 9 years, the constituency has witnessed a boom in medical colleges with 3 colleges opening in a short span, and an AIIMS.

Chenab Rail Bridge

The highest railway bridge in the world higher than the Eiffel tower and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee tunnel, the longest road tunnel, is located in this constituency.

Inter Modal Station

The establishment of an Inter Modal Station (IMS) at Katra located in this constituency will open numerous opportunities for the people in terms of religious tourism.

Katra-Delhi Express road corridor

The Katra-Delhi Express Road Corridor is a proposed infrastructure project aimed at significantly reducing travel time between Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, and the national capital, Delhi. The project envisions a modern expressway with reduced congestion and improved travel efficiency. While specifics about the project’s timeline and current status are limited, its completion promises to bolster connectivity, enhance tourism, and stimulate economic growth in the region.

First seed processing plant of J&K

Seed Processing Plant with 16 lakh seed generation and 24 lakh seed processing capacity, the first-of-its-kind, have come up in this entire region. The new Seed Processing Plant will be catering not only to district Kathua but also to the entire Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the two adjacent States of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. This will not only enrich the quality of crops sown by them but also enable them to procure seed of a superior quality at a lesser cost which, will in turn raise the margin of their profit in the market.

Healthcare hub

Kathua-Udhampur-Doda’ Parliamentary Constituency could be the future ‘Health Circuit’ of India with state-of-the-art Healthcare Facilities like 3 Medical Colleges, AIIMS, Biotech Park etc. The establishment of Daycare Chemotherapy Unit at GMC Kathua affiliated to Tata Memorial Hospital today, cancer treatment is going to become accessible and affordable.

Who Stands Where

BJP Looks Set for a Hattrick

The Udhampur Lok Sabha seat has been with the BJP for 10 years. Dr Jitendra Singh, who holds the important position of MoS at the Prime Minister’s Office, has been fielded by the BJP for a third time, and looks set to win the constituency once again. Although the BJP is believed to be the frontrunner to win the seat, Udhampur is now witnessing a high-pitched and tough contest between Jitendra Singh and Congress’ Choudhary Lal Singh.

Among the factors working in favour of the BJP, the biggest is the normalisation of the situation in neighbouring Kashmir, inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya etc. Extravagant rallies and events had been organised across Udhampur to celebrate the consecration of Ram Lalla at the new temple in Ayodhya.

Congress Putting Up a Brave Fight

Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh is a firebrand leader who, coincidentally, was earlier in the BJP and even served as a Minister in the BJP-PDP government of the state. After the Abrogation of Article 370, he quit the BJP. Lal Singh is an advocate of restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, especially job and land security, in the form of Article 371.

Lal Singh is also facing criminal investigation and is currently out on bail in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.

Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Wildcard Candidate

Congress’s dream of a Muslim vote consolidation has been dashed by former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad complicating the electoral calculations. The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) of Ghulam Nabi Azad has fielded G.M Saroori, in Udhampur. Saroori, although a former minister and two-time MLA, has limited influence, with most of his supporters restricted to the Kishtwar belt.

Nevertheless, he, along with the BSP candidate in the seat, could lead to Muslim and Dalit votes splitting. This would surely help Dr Jitendra Singh.

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"Shri Mata Vaishno Devi"

The Holy Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is situated at a distance of 48 kms north of Jammu city and at an altitude of 5200 feet on Trikuta hills. A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages. The Holy Cave attracts millions of devotees every year. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad. Katra town, the base for the pilgrims, is a small town surrounded by green Trikuta hills. From Jammu the devotees reach Katra by bus and other private vehicles by road. Jammu and Udhampur are the nearest rail links to the Katra town with the rest of India. After reaching Katra town, the pilgrims have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the pilgrims are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave and the Yatra is open all around the year.

More Information

Getting there.

Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji

What to buy, where to buy, what to see in katra.

Baba Dhansar

• The Pilgrimage Route

When to Visit

From Darshani Darwaza to Banganga

Banganga to Charan Paduka

Charan Paduka to Adhkuwari

Adhkuwari to Sanji Chhat

Facilities available for the pilgrims.

Yatra Route

Accomodation

Eating Points

Medical Facilities

Other facilities.

Palkies, Ponies, Pithoos

Clothing and accessories, do's & dont's.

• Before proceeding for the trek, obtain a Yatra slip from Yatra Registration Counter, near bus stand KatraThe slip is issued free of cost. . No one is allowed to proceed beyond Banganga check post without obtaining the Yatra slip.
• Please uphold the sanctity of the pilgrimage and avoid loud dresses, vulgar language or offensive talk or gestures. The yatra is a journey of faith. Please do not treat it as a picnic or a vacation outing.
• On arrival at Bhawan, obtain the group number at the Yatra slip check post to get into the queue for Darshans.
• Proceed for Darshans only when the Group number is announced and avoid crowding for Darshans at Gate No.1. Abide by the procedure and wait for the turn of Darshans. Do not attempt to jump the queue.

Help & Assitance

Donations through bank atms, distances from katra and altitude.

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Amit Shah jabs Rahul 'baba' Gandhi over Kashmir: 'No guts to throw a stone'

Union home minister amit shah slammed congress leader rahul gandhi over his past statements on the law and order situation in jammu and kashmir after the scrapping of article 370. he said nobody had the guts to throw a stone today..

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• Amit Shah slams Rahul Gandhi's past remarks on J&K post Article 370 abrogation
• He says situation is normal in Kashmir and violence has come down
• He claims Congress would be wiped out in Lok Sabha polls

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his past remarks on the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370 was scrapped in 2019.

Addressing a gathering while holding a roadshow in Rajasthan's Udaipur, Amit Shah cited statements made by Rahul Gandhi on Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that the situation was normal in the Union Territory and that nobody had the guts to throw a stone today.

"In Kashmir, (People's Democratic Party chief) Mehbooba Mufti and (Congress leader) Rahul baba (Gandhi) used to say there would be bloodbath there once Article 370 is removed," he said.

"Rahul baba, five years have passed (since the abrogation of Article 370). This is the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leave alone the talk of bloodbath, No one has the guts to throw a stone there," he said.

He asserted that the Congress would be wiped out in the Lok Sabha elections and exuded confidence that the BJP would win all 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Amit Shah held the roadshow in Udaipur in support of BJP candidate Mannalal Rawat. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma was also a part of the roadshow.

Voting for 12 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan was held in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday. Elections in the remaining 13 constituencies are scheduled to be held on April 26. Results are slated to be announced on June 4.

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