SRINAGAR: In a decisive response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Narendra Modi-led government has significantly ramped up its grassroots governance infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir, with the aim of expanding administrative reach, empowering local governance, and disrupting radicalisation pathways across rural and remote areas of the Union Territory.
As part of a sweeping initiative under the Support for Panchayat Infrastructure programme, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has approved the construction of a massive 970 Gram Panchayat (GP) Bhawans during the 2024–25 cycle. This rollout is being accompanied by the development of 1,606 Common Service Centres (CSCs) equipped with digital infrastructure to enhance service delivery and community engagement at the village level.
According to official documents accessed by News18, the Centre has already sanctioned ₹216 crore for these ongoing infrastructure projects. This initiative marks a strategic shift in the Centre’s approach in J&K — from just a security-focused operation to a parallel track of administrative and civic empowerment aimed at long-term stability.
Of the 970 approved Panchayat Bhawans, 470 were carried over from the previous year. Among them, 330 have been completed, and 140 are under active construction. The current year has seen an additional 500 new Bhawans sanctioned, of which 370 have already gone through the tendering process, while land identification has been completed for 130.
The Union government has also cleared the carry-over proposal for the remaining 640 GP Bhawans, with an additional budget allocation of ₹146.73 crore. These projects have received approval from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and are now in various stages of execution.
A senior IAS officer confirmed that a high-level team from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will be visiting Jammu & Kashmir on Monday to assess on-ground progress and reinforce outreach efforts, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Alongside physical infrastructure, the government is also prioritising digital integration at the grassroots level. To promote e-governance and ensure efficient delivery of public services, 1,606 CSCs are being co-located within GP Bhawans across the Union Territory.
Out of 1,106 CSCs carried over from 2023–24, 926 are already functional, with the remaining 180 nearing operational status. For 2024–25, 500 new CSCs have been approved — 370 of these have been tendered, and land has been identified for 130. The latest batch of 680 CSCs has been cleared with a funding commitment of ₹68.67 crore.
This digital push is expected to transform public service delivery in remote areas by making key services — from documentation and welfare schemes to internet access — easily available to local residents.
More than just an administrative expansion, the government’s effort is being viewed as a long-term counter-terrorism strategy. While security forces continue to tackle militants and overground workers (OGWs) on the ground, the civil administration is now focusing on building trust through visible governance, curbing misinformation, and offering local populations alternatives to radical influences.
The creation of digitally connected Panchayat Bhawans and service centres is also being seen as a way to enhance democratic participation, engage youth in civic affairs, and foster a sense of state presence in historically neglected or high-risk regions.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has also directed its Capacity Building (CB) Division teams to verify at least 20% of the projects physically before releasing additional funds, ensuring that work progresses efficiently and transparently.
This extensive rollout of rural governance infrastructure signals a shift from reactive to proactive engagement in Jammu & Kashmir. By embedding governance deeply into the daily lives of rural citizens, the Modi government hopes to close the gaps that have historically been exploited by extremist elements.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, this administrative surge sends a strong message: that the government intends not only to crack down on terrorism but also to win the peace by empowering local communities, decentralising governance, and asserting the writ of the state across all corners of the Union Territory.
