J&K’s border areas witnessing massive development: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated an Easy Business Unit at Village Chakra in Hiranagar, Kathua, to facilitate access to banking services for the local population. The facility is aimed at bringing banking services closer to residents and enabling convenient access to financial transactions, government welfare schemes and digital banking facilities.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir have come a long way on the path of development since 2014. Recalling the challenges faced by residents earlier, he said that several areas suffered from inadequate road connectivity, lack of mobile communication infrastructure and limited access to basic amenities.
The Minister said that the development approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to ensure that people receive the benefits of development irrespective of their geographical location or political choices. He said that the focus has been on regional equity and democratisation of opportunities, ensuring that development reaches people in border areas as well as those living in more accessible regions.
Highlighting improvements in border infrastructure, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that road connectivity has been strengthened in areas that earlier remained difficult to access. Roads now extend up to the zero line in several stretches along the international border, facilitating movement and improving access for residents and security personnel. He also referred to the installation of mobile towers using technology suited to the requirements of border areas, including directed-signal systems designed with security considerations. These measures have helped improve communication infrastructure in areas where connectivity was previously limited.
The Minister also highlighted the construction of bunkers in border areas in accordance with prescribed security standards to protect residents during cross-border firing. He said that improved infrastructure and security arrangements have contributed to greater confidence among border residents and helped address the circumstances that earlier compelled families to migrate. He described the development of border areas as an important example of efforts to improve living conditions and strengthen public confidence in governance.
On financial inclusion, the Minister said that banking services have become essential in a period when citizens increasingly depend on technology and digital platforms for financial transactions and access to government services. He said that the expansion of banking infrastructure and the implementation of inclusive financial policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have contributed to a change in public attitudes towards formal banking, digital transactions and entrepreneurship. Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), more than 59 crore bank accounts have been opened across the country, enabling people to access formal banking services and receive government benefits directly into their accounts under Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).
The Minister also highlighted the role of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana in providing collateral-free loans to eligible micro and small entrepreneurs, helping them establish or expand their businesses. These initiatives, he said, have supported self-employment and improved access to institutional finance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also referred to the PM Vishwakarma scheme, which supports artisans and craftspeople engaged in traditional occupations through skill training, toolkit incentives, digital transaction incentives and access to collateral-free credit. He said that such initiatives are intended to strengthen traditional livelihoods, improve skills and create better economic opportunities.
The Minister highlighted the expansion of Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s branch network in the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda parliamentary constituency. In Kathua, the number of branches has increased from 31 in 2014 to a projected 55, with 13 new branches added over the last 12 years and 11 in the pipeline. In Udhampur, the network has expanded from 26 to a projected 38 branches, with 10 new branches made functional and two in the pipeline. In Doda, the number of branches has increased from 53 to a projected 92, with 31 new branches operationalised and eight in the pipeline, he said adding that the expansion is aimed at improving access to banking services, facilitating DBT and supporting the implementation of government welfare and livelihood schemes.
Referring to major infrastructure projects, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that improvements in connectivity have been a priority despite the challenging terrain and geographical conditions of Jammu and Kashmir. He referred to initiatives such as the Vande Bharat rail service and the development of express corridors, which are expected to improve connectivity, reduce travel time and strengthen economic linkages.
The Minister also referred to the development of sports infrastructure, including an international-level stadium associated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and named after Arun Jaitley. He highlighted the importance of sports facilities in providing young people with opportunities to pursue their interests and participate in organised sporting activities.
He emphasised that transparent policies and effective delivery of public services are essential for building trust between citizens and the government. He said that people increasingly expect tangible results in the form of roads, connectivity, educational facilities, financial services and other development works, and that governance must respond to these expectations through timely and accountable implementation.
The Minister said that the development initiatives undertaken over the past 12 years reflect the emphasis placed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on inclusive growth and regional equity. He said that the objective is to ensure that residents of border areas receive opportunities and public services comparable to those available elsewhere and that development should reach every household without discrimination.
MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, and Divisional Head, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Ashok Gupta also spoke on the occasion.