Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Feb 4:
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said that the government will expedite the forest clearance for speedy execution of road projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the cases shall be taken up with the concerned agencies for hassle-free work execution on the road network projects.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the cost-sharing pattern for PMGSY IV construction in J&K is 90 percent funded by the Centre and 10 percent by the Union Territory.
This information was given by the Deputy Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a question raised by Legislator Payare Lal Sharma.
Regarding land compensation on account of road construction under PMGSY IV, he informed that the UT government is responsible for providing hindrance-free and encumbrance-free land for PMGSY-IV projects, including compensation for land acquisition.
The supplementary questions were raised by Legislators Nazir Ahmad Khan and Balwant Singh Mankotia on the subject.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said that as per the reports of the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Chief Engineer Public (R&B) Department Zone, Jammu and Managing Director, JKPCC Limited, no enquiry has been ordered against the Executing Agency responsible for construction of 4th Tawi Bridge.
‘Centre to fund
This information was given by the Deputy Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a question raised by Sham Lal Sharma.
He stated that the recent floods in Jammu damaged the bridge’s approaches but the bridge itself remained intact.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that as per the inputs furnished by the Managing Director, JKPCC, the 4th Tawi Bridge project was awarded to JKPCC in 2010, with an estimated cost of ₹93.12 crore. The project was approved and JKPCC floated an e-tender, which got matured.
The Deputy CM added that consequent upon the decision of the Contract Committee and subsequent approval of Chairman JKPCC Limited, the allotment was made to the lowest bidder, M/S S.P Shingla Construction Private Limited, for an amount of Rs 67.088 crore on turnkey basis. He further informed that the said contractor took up the work and completed the bridge in time, which was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister in the year 2013 and thrown open for public traffic.
The Deputy CM added that after commissioning of the said bridge and during the heavy floods which occurred in 2014, the bridge components remained intact and no part of the bridge was damaged.
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today said that the works worth Rs. 2 crore are being carried out by the R&B department for permanent restoration of Larnoo Bridge in Kokernag constituency of Anantnag district.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Zafar Ali Khatana in the House.
He added that the Larnoo Bridge, located on the T03 Dessu Lehenwan Marg, was previously built by the R&B department.
He said that the Bridge Abutment wing and approach walls got partially damaged during the floods in the months of August and September 2025 and permanent restoration is being carried out at an estimated cost of Rs. 200.00 Lakh.
He further informed that the road from Bidhard to Khirty is a single lane BT road, in good condition, with a carriage width of 3.65 meter.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary today said that the government has undertaken numerous initiatives to improve cash flow, address financial stress and strengthen economic resilience of industrial units, MSMEs, artisans, weavers and farmers of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Waheed ur Rehman Parra in the House.
He added that the government has launched the JKMSME Health Clinic as an institutional mechanism to identify early signs of industrial stress using analytics and facilitating systematic assessment and customized remedial measures for revival.
He said that access to finance has been further strengthened under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme through enhanced linkage with the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the J&K Industrial Policy 2021–30 continues to provide multiple incentives, including turnover and SGST incentives, green initiatives, 100% subsidy on diesel generator sets, exemptions from stamp duty and court fee besides subsidies for quality certification, automation and pollution control.
He said that the revival and rehabilitation of sick MSMEs are being guided by the RBI’s Framework for Revival and Rehabilitation of MSMEs, enabling restructuring of liabilities and need-based financial assistance.
Regarding the welfare of artisans and weavers, the Deputy Chief Minister said that several targeted schemes are being implemented on this account. These included the Credit Card Scheme for Artisans and Weavers, offering credit up to Rs.2 lakh with 7% interest subvention; financial support to cooperatives and SHGs; Karkhandar Scheme for skill upgradation; Weavers MUDRA Scheme and the Education Scheme for Children of Artisans and Weavers.
He said that GI-certified unit holders are also being provided rent-free stalls and full support for participation in exhibitions. Additionally, master craftsmen facing indigent circumstances receive monthly assistance under the Direct Benefit Scheme.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Agriculture Production Department is extending robust financial relief to the farmers through interest subvention on crop loans under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, credit restructuring in case of natural calamities and comprehensive crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
Further, he said that the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) are promoting long-term investment in agriculture and livestock infrastructure through interest subvention and credit guarantees.
