Home Minister says Centre committed to ‘Viksit J&K’, chairs security and development reviews in Jammu
BuzzBytes | Jammu | February 7, 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reviewed the progress of key development projects in Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the need to harness the Union Territory’s full hydropower potential and ensure that government welfare schemes reach every eligible beneficiary.
Chairing a high-level meeting at Lok Bhawan in Jammu, Shah said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Centre is firmly committed to building a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. The nearly two-hour meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and DGP Nalin Prabhat, among others.
“Due to the continuous and dedicated efforts of the Modi government, development projects in Jammu and Kashmir have made unprecedented progress. The UT must develop the full potential of its hydropower projects,” Shah said, while reviewing sectors including road infrastructure, power, industry, tourism, 4G and optical-fibre connectivity.
The Home Minister called for 100 per cent saturation of welfare schemes to ensure benefits reach intended beneficiaries, and laid special emphasis on sports infrastructure and sports academies to connect youth with development. He said efforts would be made to mobilise around ₹200 crore in investment by engaging with various sports bodies. Shah also asked officials to promote the dairy sector in J&K through the National Dairy Development Board.
Marking a key fiscal development, Jammu and Kashmir has been brought under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for the first time in FY 2025–26, enabling access to 50-year interest-free loans for capital projects. Shah said strong fiscal discipline will help stabilise the UT’s fiscal deficit over time.
“India is steadily progressing towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, and the government will continue to extend wholehearted support to Jammu and Kashmir in this journey,” he said.
Shah arrived in Jammu late Thursday evening and began his two-day visit by touring BSF forward outposts at Gurnam and Bobiyian along the International Border in Kathua on Friday. On his return, he chaired a security review meeting focused on counter-terror efforts, attended among others by Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi.
During the visit, Shah met families of police personnel killed in anti-terror operations and handed over appointment letters to next of kin. A BJP delegation also called on him. In a post on X, Shah said he met BJP office-bearers, MLAs and MPs from J&K and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to taking development initiatives to the grassroots and strengthening the organisation to realise the vision of a developed and secure Jammu and Kashmir.
