Jammu, February 2026 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday addressed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly at the commencement of the Budget Session, calling it a moment to reflect on achievements, renew democratic commitments and chart a roadmap for a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the House, the LG said the session holds special significance as it follows the formation of an elected government after several years, marking a major milestone in the democratic journey of the Union Territory. He said the transition to popular governance has strengthened public faith in democratic institutions and participatory decision-making.
The Lieutenant Governor underlined that J&K’s development model is firmly rooted in the principles of Economy, Ecology and Equity, ensuring balanced and sustainable growth. He stressed that good governance, transparency and digital transformation remain the cornerstone of the administration’s strategy.
Highlighting governance reforms, LG Sinha said over 1,500 public services are now available online, with 391 services integrated with an auto-appeal system to ensure timely delivery. He added that citizen outreach initiatives and platforms like JK Samadhan have strengthened grievance redressal and rebuilt public trust.
He informed the House that during the past year, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 82 crore e-transactions, averaging 22 lakh transactions per day, while ₹9,000 crore was transferred directly to 80 lakh beneficiaries through 77 DBT-based schemes. An integrated AI strategy is also being developed to enhance efficiency in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, mobility and law enforcement.
On the economic front, the LG said J&K is witnessing around 11% nominal growth, making it one of the fastest-growing UTs in the country. GST collections rose from ₹8,064 crore (2023–24) to ₹8,586 crore (2024–25), while power tariff revenue increased by 16%.
He also highlighted the extension of Special Assistance to States for Capital Infusion (SASCI) to J&K, under which ₹1,431 crore has been sanctioned for 222 projects, with ₹1,083 crore already released as the first instalment.
Emphasising infrastructure as a growth engine, LG Sinha said the road sector has received ₹61,528 crore in investments, including expressways, highways, ring roads and tunnels. He noted that three major tunnels, including the Sonamarg Tunnel, have been completed, while projects like the Zojila Tunnel are nearing completion. Additionally, 19 new National Highway projects worth ₹10,637 crore have been sanctioned for 2025–26.
Concluding his address, the Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth and women-centric development, employment generation, and sustained economic momentum.
