Jammu & Kashmir was passing through a period of transition for development, peace and prosperity, LG Manoj Sinha said

The Jammu and Kashmir government aims to increase exports from the Union Territory to Rs 5,000 crores in the next two years, up from the current level of Rs 1,400 crore.

Outlining the plans to speed up development, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday suggested increasing the air cargo capacity to enable easy transport of perishable items.

Speaking at the 6th Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog which was also addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sinha requested the central government to consider setting up a dry port in J&K with a customs clearance facility to increase the trade within and outside the country.

He pointed out that JKIDFC had approved 2,367 projects worth Rs. 7,125.49 crore so far. All the languishing projects would be completed soon, the LG said.

He suggested that Srinagar and Jammu should be opened to regular commercial International flights to give a boost to tourism and trade.

From job creation to entrepreneurship, the government was trying to make J&K a model of Industry 4.0, LG Sinha said, adding that the multiplier effect of industrial transformation would be felt across the entire length and breadth of the UT.

During the meeting. LG Sinha pointed out that after August 5, 2019, J&K got new opportunities of socio-economic development that were not there for many decades. Jammu & Kashmir is passing through a period of transition for development, peace and prosperity, he added.

"We are spending 2.86 % of our budget in the Health sector which is more than the national average. Upgradation of health infrastructure, improving healthcare services has led to an overall improvement in the key health indicators in J&K," the LG said.