, Feb 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday approved grants for key sectors through a voice vote, including Rs. 12,98,872.13 lakh for School Education, Rs. 8,65,476.57 lakh for Health and Medical Education, Rs. 4,45,671.59 lakh for Social Welfare, and Rs. 2,15,016.37 lakh for Higher Education.

Minister for Health, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, expressed gratitude to legislators for their inputs during the day-long discussion, emphasizing that suggestions will guide the government in addressing constituency-specific and sectoral challenges. She acknowledged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s commitment to prioritizing education, health, and social welfare despite financial constraints.
On School Education, the Minister highlighted reforms such as restoring the academic session from March to November, regularizing 2,894 CPWs, hiring Cluster Resource Coordinators, and filling lecturer and non-teaching vacancies. Infrastructure improvements include 3,356 additional classrooms, 1,316 toilets, 604 boundary walls, 172 Atal Tinkering Labs, 2,733 Smart Classrooms, 289 Virtual Reality Labs, and 188 Astro-Physics Labs. She also noted the launch of the “JK e-Patshala” DTH educational channel and the promotion of regional language textbooks.
In Health, the Minister outlined achievements including the functional 160-bed Bone & Joint Hospital block, 243-bed Labour Block extension at SMGS Jammu, 3,200 additional beds in two years, new Cath Labs, CT and MRI upgrades, PET scan facilities, expansion of dialysis and AI-enabled X-Ray services, 44 advanced life support ambulances, cancer management initiatives, and extensive drug de-addiction programs. She also highlighted declines in Neonatal and Infant Mortality Rates, increased institutional deliveries, and the highest number of public addiction treatment facilities in the country.
Regarding Social Welfare, 28,186 Anganwadi Centres serve 8.41 lakh beneficiaries, with upgraded Saksham Anganwadis, Bal Vidyalas, enhanced pensions for 10.19 lakh pensioners, increased marriage assistance, Ladli Beti coverage for 1.98 lakh girls, and 812 employment-generating units under the Women Development Corporation. Support for SC/ST/OBC communities included loans and hostels for students.
For Higher Education, ongoing construction of 24 new degree colleges and eight completed buildings, infrastructure strengthening under RUSA, 18 new projects under PM-USHA worth Rs. 155 crore, 58 new UG programs, additional courses in 65 colleges, and academic arrangements for 2,205 candidates were highlighted.
The Assembly discussion saw active participation from multiple legislators, addressing constituency-specific concerns. Several Cut Motions were withdrawn following ministerial assurances, while one motion introduced by Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra was defeated.
The approved grants mark a significant investment in human development, infrastructure, and inclusive growth across education, health, and social welfare sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.