Rs 100 crore disbursed as part of self-employment initiative in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has sanctioned more than 10,000 cases under the Back to Village-III (B2V3) and My Town-My Pride initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at providing more power to the youth.

Out of the 15,309 applications received, about 10,828 have been sanctioned, and about Rs 100 cr disbursed to 6,734 applicants. The Jammu & Kashmir government aims to provide financial help for self-employment, to a minimum of two people in each panchayat. Over 10,000 cases have already benefitted and sanction letters have been given to at least one individual from each district.

Of the 24,000 vacancies in various departments in the Union Territory, applications have been invited for about 10,000, and the recruitment process will soon be completed. The Union Territory is going all out to ensure that its youth engage in productive work and enjoy a means of livelihood. As part of its efforts, it is focussing on developing the infrastructure, for which now it will be possible for people outside J&K to acquire land in the UT.

In the past, the J&K government had the right to decide who could be a permanent resident of the state, and only permanent residents were allowed to own land there. With the recent amendments, many exemptions have been made allowing transfer of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, including setting up of educational or health care facilities.

As per a gazette notification of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020, the Union government has deleted the phrase ‘permanent resident of the state’ from Section 17 of the J&K Development Act, pertaining to sale and acquisition of land in the UT.