Need livelihood enhancement

Although J&K  is fairly electrified with 97% of villages lit, but providing continuous power at cheaper rate is difficult. The government must also focus on providing innovative financing solutions such as tax-free solar bonds or green infrastructure bonds to accelerate the access to credit at globally competitive rates. India is standing on the threshold of a green energy revolution that can light up a new era of energy, economic and environmental security. But to achieve this goal India needs a breakthrough in how it produces, distributes and consumes energy. The main challenge before the government is to make a difference in the life of each citizen of J&K. To restore faith of people in democracy, a distinct approach to enhance the infrastructure, social protection, livelihood enhancement is needed for its various parts. This distinct approach for prosperity must be inclusive with no one left behind in the road to prosperity. There is an urgent need to ensure quality infrastructure. This includes access by road, access to water, sanitation, housing and healthcare. There is need to enhance existing livelihood and create new livelihood opportunities. Kashmir is known for sericulture, cold water fisheries, woodwork, cricket bats, saffron, handicrafts, and horticulture produce. The need is to establish producer companies, allow them to expand and handhold them to enable storage, quality control, sorting and packaging. Besides tourism, Kashmir can also be a hub for school education. Jammu with enhanced rail and road connectivity can be a business centre for wood grain work, mills, basmati rice trade, rice mills, carpets, electronic items and electric goods. These clean industries can give a boost to the region’s economy. It also has mineral deposits that need to be extracted by using environment-friendly techniques. A green energy revolution is needed in India that can increase prosperity for millions of poor families by harnessing the abundant and clean energy of the sun. India’s ambitious solar energy plans can only see the light of the day if they are backed by a national energy policy, regulatory programs and innovative financing mechanisms that encourage the development of distributed energy, particularly applications that combine solar generation with efficient energy storage solutions. This will instil more confidence from potential investors and decrease the cost of financing for renewable energy projects. Similarly, large-scale “Solar Manufacturing Hubs” also need to be developed in India to facilitate mass production of solar energy equipment at competitive costs. Thanks to the drive shown by the present government.