Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, today said that Himayat 2.0 aims to equip the youth of Jammu and Kashmir with market-relevant skills to enable gainful employment in high demand jobs.

He was speaking while distributing sanction orders among the Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) at Panchayat Bhawan, Railway Road, Jammu.

The Minister said the revamped programme focuses on outcome-oriented skill development, aligning training with current and emerging market demands. He emphasized that Himayat 2.0 gives special priority to rural youth and high-growth sectors to drive inclusive socio-economic development.

Stressing the need for a diversified skill base, he directed the PIAs to introduce new trades and strong soft-skill components aligned with industry requirements. He asked them to ensure implementation with commitment, transparency and accountability.

Secretary, Rural Development Department, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, described Himayat 2.0 as a shift from skill training to assured employability,  with a sharper focus on standards, accountability and long-term employment outcomes. He noted that skills remain the most sustainable form of empowerment and that the government has established a system that is clear in intent and supportive in execution.

The Chief Executive Officer, Himayat, briefed the gathering on the roles and responsibilities of PIAs, underlining the importance of quality training, placement performance and strict adherence to programme guidelines.

The event was attended by Heads of Departments of Panchayati Raj and IWMP, senior officers, representatives of PIAs and other stakeholders associated with the implementation of Himayat 2.0.