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Shivraj Singh Chouhan joins Muharram mourners in Srinagar, announces housing for five lakh in J&K
Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Thursday (July 3, 2025) joined Shia Muslim mourners in Srinagar, distributing water and sharbat as part of Muharram observances, while also announcing a housing scheme for five lakh houseless individuals in Jammu and Kashmir.
Describing the experience at Srinagar's Lal Chowk as 'deeply moving,' Mr. Chouhan said, 'I stand in solidarity with every brother and sister here.' His participation in the religious observance came on the sidelines of a review of Central schemes in the Union Territory.
Earlier in the day, the Minister announced that the Centre would provide housing to around five lakh people without permanent shelter in the Union Territory. 'The Prime Minister has decided that those who are still without a home will also be given permanent shelter,' Mr. Chouhan said, adding that the Ministry had completed a survey and listed the names. 'The verification process is underway to ensure accuracy,' he noted.
Mr. Chouhan and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah later co-chaired a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. 'For Viksit Bharat, a Viksit Jammu & Kashmir is essential. I extend my full support to CM Omar Abdullah and his team and assure you that my office is just a call away whenever needed,' the Union Minister said.
Praising the progress made in agriculture and allied sectors in the region, Mr. Chouhan commended the State administration for its grassroots-level engagement.
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Chief Minister Abdullah welcomed the visit and acknowledged the promptness of the Union Minister's outreach. 'Your presence here today has truly won our hearts. We have always known you to be a positive and responsive leader, but I must admit - I did not expect such a swift and gracious response,' Mr. Abdullah said. 'A few days ago, during the NITI Aayog meeting, I had requested you to visit, especially after the Pahalgam incident, to reassure the people that the nation stands with us. Today, you are here with your full team, which reflects your deep commitment and solidarity,' he added.
According to an official spokesperson, the Chief Minister underlined the value of direct engagement in resolving issues. 'This meeting itself is a testimony to how much can be achieved through dialogue and collaboration,' Mr. Abdullah said.
During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kudumbashree and the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) to establish 20 food service enterprises, one in each district of the Union Territory. The initiative seeks to empower women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), promoting entrepreneurship and local employment.
Additionally, the dignitaries launched Har Didi Ek Kahani, a compendium featuring over 100 success stories of SHG women who have become 'Lakhpati Didis' under the JKRLM framework through enterprise support and structured mentorship.
