Srinagar, Apr 28: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday welcomed the Government of India’s decision to launch new projects under PMGSY-IV (Batch-II) in Jammu & Kashmir.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today at SKICC in Srinagar, marking a major push to improve rural infrastructure, housing, strengthen women’s empowerment, and boost agriculture-driven growth in the Union Territory.
Reacting to the development, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “We wholeheartedly welcome the Centre’s major push to accelerate rural development in Jammu & Kashmir.”
He highlighted that Rs 3,566 crore has been approved for road connectivity projects, while Rs 4,568 crore has been sanctioned to support women through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
Calling it a “significant and commendable step,” Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said such large-scale investments can transform rural life if implemented properly.
However, he stressed that the responsibility now lies with the Union Territory Govt to ensure that these projects are executed efficiently and completed on time.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari underlined the importance of road connectivity, saying that true development cannot be achieved without proper access to remote areas, which continue to face serious challenges due to poor infrastructure. “Road connectivity is critical for inclusive growth; development remains incomplete without it, especially as remote areas continue to face challenges due to inadequate access. Therefore, these projects are vital for the future development of the Union Territory,” He said.
However, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari urged the Union Territory administration to include the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) under a compensation framework, noting that the scheme currently has no such provision at the central level. He emphasised that landowners whose land is used for road construction should be provided fair and adequate compensation.
He said, “Since this project has no compensation backing, it may face roadblocks in its implementation. Therefore, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir must allocate funds to ensure the incorporation of a compensation component in the PMGSY scheme, so that there are no roadblocks in the implementation of this project.”
Meanwhile, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari strongly appealed to the Government of India to establish a Horticulture University in Kashmir, noting that horticulture remains one of the strongest pillars of the region’s economy.
