**Executive Summary**
On April 28, 2026, the Union Minister for Rural Development handed over the sanction letter for ₹3,566 crore in road projects under PMGSY-IV to the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative aims to accelerate rural development through infrastructure, a ₹4,568.23 crore "Mother Sanction" for women’s empowerment under DAY-NRLM, and scientific agricultural reforms. The Jammu & Kashmir government has committed to the fast-track implementation of these projects to ensure regional transformation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Road Infrastructure and Connectivity**
* **PMGSY-IV Approval:** Projects worth ₹3,566 crore approved under Batch-II of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV for Jammu & Kashmir.
* **Total Investment:** Nearly ₹8,000 crore has been approved for road projects in the region within a single year.
* **Strategic Goal:** The projects aim to connect every village, habitation, and remote settlement to mainstream development, facilitating easier access to schools, hospitals, and markets.
**Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship**
* **Financial Sanction:** A "Mother Sanction" exceeding ₹4,568.23 crore was released under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) covering 24 States and Union Territories.
* **Lakhpati Didis:** The initiative focuses on transforming women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into "Lakhpati Didis" and empowered entrepreneurs.
**Agricultural Advancement and Research**
* **Holistic Development:** Implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme to address challenges related to small landholdings, difficult terrain, and weather risks.
* **Scientific Measures:** Focus on promoting clean planting materials, establishing high-quality nurseries, and advancing scientific crop diversification.
* **ICAR Involvement:** A team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will be deputed to study J&K's climate, soil, and water resources to prepare a comprehensive roadmap.
* **Integrated Farming:** Promotion of allied activities, including animal husbandry, fisheries, sheep and goat rearing, and beekeeping, to boost farm incomes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Jammu & Kashmir Government**
**Impact**
The state administration receives significant central funding and a mandate for large-scale infrastructure and rural development.
**Action Required**
The government must ensure speedy implementation of approved projects on the ground and effectively manage central assistance and shared contributions.
**Rural Communities and Farmers**
**Impact**
Residents will benefit from enhanced connectivity and modernized agricultural practices intended to increase profitability and sustainability.
**Action Required**
Farmers are encouraged to adopt integrated farming models and scientific diversification to increase their earnings.
**Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs)**
**Impact**
SHG members will receive increased financial support and opportunities to transition into entrepreneurship.
**Action Required**
Beneficiaries should utilize the funds provided under the DAY-NRLM "Mother Sanction" to scale their enterprises.
**Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)**
**Impact**
ICAR is designated as the technical lead for analyzing the region's agricultural potential.
**Action Required**
Depute a team of scientists to J&K to conduct field studies and prepare a development roadmap for the region.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV: A rural road construction scheme under which ₹3,566 crore was approved for projects in Jammu & Kashmir to connect remote habitations.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): A poverty alleviation program under which a 'Mother Sanction' of ₹4,568 crore was released to empower women's Self-Help Groups and create 'Lakhpati Didis'.
Jammu & Kashmir: The primary Union Territory receiving the infrastructure, agricultural, and livelihood development boost through these federal sanctions.
Holistic Agriculture Development Programme: A regional initiative aimed at increasing farm incomes through scientific crop diversification, improved planting materials, and high-quality nurseries.
Ministry of Rural Development: The central government ministry overseeing the implementation of major infrastructure and livelihood schemes like PMGSY and DAY-NRLM.
Ministry of Rural Development
Major Boost for Jammu & Kashmir: ₹3,566 Crore
Road Projects Approved to Accelerate Rural
Development
Big Announcement in Srinagar: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Hands
Over PMGSY-IV Approval Letter to Omar Abdullah on Stage
Push for Women Empowerment: Over ₹4,568 Crore Mother
Sanction Released Under DAY-NRLM
DIL K DWAR BHI KHULE HAI, DILLI K DWAR BHI KHULE
HAI- Shivraj Singh Chouhan
“Developed J&K Key to Developed India”: Shivraj Outlines
Roadmap for Roads, Livelihoods, Housing & Agriculture
Farm Incomes to Rise, Every Village to be Connected: Focus
on Integrated Farming & Scientific Agriculture
“₹8,000 Crore Approval is Historic”: Omar Abdullah Assures
Fast-Track Implementation, Promises Transformation of J&K
Posted On: 28 APR 2026 2:12PM by PIB Delhi
Rural infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and agriculture-led prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir
received a major boost today as the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural
Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, handed over the sanction letter for projects approved under the
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV (Batch-II) for Jammu & Kashmir to Chief Minister
Shri Omar Abdullah, at a programme held at SKICC, Srinagar. On the occasion, a Mother Sanction of
over ₹4,568.23 crore was also released under DAY-NRLM for 24 States and Union Territories. The
program was attended by Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Surinder Kumar
Choudhary, Jammu & Kashmir’s Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj,
Cooperation and Elections Shri Javed Ahmad Dar, Leader of Opposition Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma,
Members of Parliament, several MLAs, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development Shri Rohit Kansal,
senior officials of the Jammu & Kashmir Government, and a large number of rural people, farmers, and
women beneficiaries.Addressing the people, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that he had come to Jammu &
Kashmir not with any sense of formality or position, but with a spirit of service. He said that under the
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is committed not only to
building roads but also to connecting hearts, adding that for the development of Jammu & Kashmir, 'the
doors of both the heart and Delhi are open.' He highlighted that Jammu & Kashmir was accorded priority
in the first phase of PMGSY-IV approvals and has again been prioritized in the second phase, reflecting
the Centre’s strong commitment to the region.Shri Chouhan noted that the approval of road projects worth nearly ₹8,000 crore for Jammu & Kashmir
within a single year is a historic achievement. He assured that as construction progresses on the sanctioned
roads, the Central Government will continue to take positive decisions on the remaining required routes.
He emphasized that the objective is not merely road construction but connecting every village, habitation,
and remote settlement to the mainstream of development, as roads bring schools, hospitals, markets, and
opportunities closer to people.Focusing on women’s empowerment, the Union Minister stated that a Mother Sanction exceeding
₹4,568.23 crore has been released under DAY-NRLM for women Self-Help Groups across 24 States and
Union Territories. Addressing the women of Jammu & Kashmir, he said the goal is not limited to creating
'Lakhpati Didis' but to transform them into stronger and more empowered entrepreneurs. During the
programme, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Shri Omar Abdullah also felicitated Lakhpati Didis.On agriculture and farmers’ issues, Shri Chouhan specifically referred to the challenges of small
landholdings, difficult terrain, and weather-related risks in Jammu & Kashmir. He said the Central
Government stands firmly with the region through the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme and
will undertake concrete measures such as promoting clean planting material of improved varieties,
establishing high-quality nurseries, and advancing scientific crop diversification. He announced that a
team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research will be deputed to Jammu & Kashmir
to study its climate, soil, water resources, and agricultural potential, and to prepare a comprehensive
roadmap.Highlighting integrated farming as an effective model for enhancing farmers’ income, Shri Chouhan said
that instead of relying solely on grains, fruits, or vegetables, farmers can significantly increase their
earnings by integrating allied activities such as animal husbandry, fisheries, sheep and goat rearing,
beekeeping, and other enterprises. He added that the Central Government will work closely with the
Jammu & Kashmir Government to design an integrated programme that makes agriculture more
profitable, sustainable, and employment-oriented.
In his address, Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah warmly welcomed Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan, describing him as a true friend and well-wisher of Jammu & Kashmir. He said, “I
wholeheartedly welcome Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Srinagar and express my gratitude. You have
repeatedly demonstrated that you are a true friend and well-wisher of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The affection you have earned as ‘Mama’ is well-deserved and suits you. We have accepted you with the
same warmth and trust. You have spared no effort in strengthening our relationship. Your support and
commitment towards the development of Jammu & Kashmir are truly commendable.”
Shri Omar Abdullah further stated that over the past one and a half years, Shri Chouhan has consistently
shown sensitivity towards the needs of Jammu & Kashmir. Calling the ₹8,000 crore approval
extraordinary, he said that such a large sanction in a single phase is significant, and the State Government
will ensure speedy implementation on the ground.
The Chief Minister emphasized that given Jammu & Kashmir’s geographical terrain, scattered population,
and challenges of hilly regions, road connectivity is transformative. He noted that earlier phases of
PMGSY have already connected remote areas to schools, hospitals, markets, and essential services, and
Phase-IV is crucial to link the remaining habitations. He assured that the State Government will work with
full seriousness in implementing the approved projects, utilizing central assistance and shared
contributions effectively, to bring tangible improvements in the lives of rural communities, farmers,
horticulturists, and women associated with Self-Help Groups.
***RC/PU
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