INDIAN STATE : JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Telecommunications

Modern telecommunication facilities of ISD, STD, Telex, Fadx are widely available across the state. All districts in the state are connected through computer network. The state also has access to internet facilities provided by the Department of Telecommunications

Social Infrastructure

Health

Medical infrastructure of the state constitutes of 4 Medical Colleges, 100 Hospitals, 343 Primary Health Centers and 3326 Medical Sub Centers. Total bed strength of more than 10,000 in the State

Education

State's literacy rate is 55.52 per cent as per 2001 census. Male literacy is estimated at 66.60 per cent and female at 43.00 per cent.

Major Industries

Minerals

Minerals commercially exploitable in the state include coal, gypsum, bauxite, lignite, graphic, magnetic and lime stone with estimated deposits as coal - 33 million, bauxite - 8 million, gypsum - 1 million, graphite - 16 million, limestone around 200 million. A number of mineral based projects have been identified for private investment.

Gems and Jewellery

In view of a rich tradition of handicrafts, gems and jewellery industry is particularly suited for J&K. There is also availability of the required skill. Development of gem and jewellery industry also provides effective utilisation of time in the idle hours of winter.

Handicrafts

Handicraft is the traditional industry of the state and has been of crucial importance given its large employment potential and the demand of handicrafts both within and outside the country. Some of the items of production include paper-mache, woodcarving, carpets, shawl making, embroidery etc. The handicrafts industry; especially the carpet industry, has been a source of substantial foreign exchange. A pashmina dehairing project assisted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will come up in the Leh industrial estate of the state.

Floriculture

J&K state has suitable agro-climatic conditions for a variety of flowers. The floriculture industry in the state offers a good source of supply to the domestic and international market. There is potential for this activity to be propagated on a commercial basis.

Horticulture

Nature has endowed Kashmir with innumerable gifts, its towering snow clad mountains, bubbling streams, transparent and sparkling lakes, flower meadows, colourful orchards and rare fauna have always attracted numerous tourists from all corners of the world. The age-old traditional fruit cultivation has profusely coloured the serenity and tranquility of Kashmir's landscape. Kashmir, the land of fauna, flora and fruits possesses a rich history of fruit cultivation. Years before the time of warrior King 'Lalita Ditya' and though the golden periods of benevolent kings like 'Awantiwaraman' and Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin 'Badshah', Kashmir has remained the symbol of fruits and flowers.

The horticulture industry in Kashmir has become the bulwark of rural economy in the state. This industry earns revenue of over Rs. 50 crores yearly and provides job facilities to the thousands of people directly and indirectly.

Sericulture

Sericulture is one of the oldest industries in the state. The state houses two large silk factories - in Srinagar and Jammu. The Srinagar factory manufactures about 300,000 meters of various types of silk fabrics, georgette, parachute and suiting.

The government woollen mill at Srinagar is another established manufacturing unit, which has a capacity of 2,018 woollen, and 1,576 worsted spindles. The state lays major thrust on production of quality cocoons at remunerative prices to the farmers.

Electronic Industry

With India emerging as one of the world leaders in information technology, J&K state has made strong headways in this sector by declaring it as thrust area and has emulated other progressive steps for the growth of this sector. The highly conductive climate, existing electronic complexes provide a base to start new ventures. The state government has established an Electronic Industrial Estate/Complex at Rangreth (Srinagar) and is in the process of setting up a Software Technology Park where necessary facilities for connectivity and fast transmission of data are being created to attract leading national and international software companies.

Tourism

Jammu and Kashmir is a bejeweled crown of India. Occupying the northern region of the country, the state abounds in scenic beauty. Jammu and Kashmir, which is divided into three regions, viz. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh provides varieties of cultural, religious spots, adventure and sight seeing activities. Tourism has emerged as an important and one of the major contributors to the state's economy. There are various places of tourist attraction in the state which are being visited by both foreign and domestic tourists.

There lies vast potential to exploit the tourism sector in the state. Government of Jammu and Kashmir has declared tourism as an industry and a number of concessions and incentives have been extended. A few initiatives towards its tourism industry are

• Ministry of Tourism at the Centre promoting Jammu & Kashmir through its Incredible India campaign.
  
  
• Ministry of Tourism to support houseboat owners and develop village tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.

Investment opportunities

• Food Processing
  
• Agro based industries
  
• Floriculture
  
• Information Technology
  
• Electronics and precision engineering
  
• Handloom and handicrafts
  
• Sericulture and silk industry
  
• Textiles and readymade garments
  
• Live stock based industry
  
• Leather and leather goods
  
• Sports goods industry
  
• Processing of gems and Precious Stones
  
• Selective mining projects and mineral based industry
  
• Green House (Ladakh)