Srinagar: The one lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund will be a game-changer in transforming cities and developing them as growth hubs in India, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday.
“The initiative involving states and Union Territories and private players to redevelop 300 cities across India will promote innovation, robust infrastructure, improve ease of living and integrate sustainability into urban planning,” Sinha said.
According to an official press release, he was speaking at the Governing Council Meeting of All India Forum of Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (AIFORERA) here.
The LG urged that the government’s overall approach is needed for advancing this sector and ensuring accountability in timely project delivery.
“The transparency, accountability, and efficiency brought by the RERA Act 2016 must protect homebuyers’ interests, and a swift grievance redressal mechanism is required to transform this sector into a more regulated and efficient industry,” he added.
Sinha also spoke on the intricacies of the real estate sector, its challenges, possibilities and opportunities.
He called upon private players and real estate developers to play their greater role in promoting affordable housing.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the real estate sector is emerging as one of the major contributors in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat. This rapid growth is driven by the aspirations of the common man. The real estate sector must move forward with equitable development and urban transformation at its core and ensure fairness and transparency for those who dream of owning a home,” he said.
Sinha said he also would like to see this sector become more competitive to encourage growth.
“There must be uniformity and harmony in housing regulations across the states and Union Territories,” the LG said.
Sinha exhorted the real estate developers to pay special attention towards the health and education of families of workers engaged in housing development projects.
He said the welfare of those who are building our homes should be the top priority. He urged the All India Forum of Real Estate Regulatory Authorities to work with developer groups like NAREDCO (National Real Estate Development Council) to ensure that workers and their families are not deprived of their basic rights in any way.
He further emphasised on real-time monitoring of housing development projects and awareness campaigns for the buyers.
On the occasion, the LG released the journal and Annual Report 2024-25 of AIFORERA.
J&K’s innovation ecosystem is transforming with Atal Tinkering Labs: LG
Attends launch ceremony of ATL Sarthi at University of Kashmir
Lieutenant Governor Monoj Sinha Thursday said that a steady transformation is taking place in J&K’s innovation ecosystem at the school level with the help of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL).
Speaking at the launch of ATL Sarthi at University of Kashmir, Sinha, according to an official press release said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is transforming India into a society driven by innovation.”
He said India is a “global leader in Artificial Intelligence, AI-driven solutions” for various sectors and expanding its reach to design and development.
According to the official press release, the University of Kashmir serves as a nodal institution for the ATL Sarthi initiative, collaborating with NITI Aayog to establish robust monitoring mechanisms and strong institutional linkages with ATL in schools across J&K. The initiative will focus on providing mentorship, capacity building for ATL teachers, and guiding students in transforming ideas into commercial prototypes.
The LG lauded the ATL Sarthi initiative aimed at connecting every Atal Tinkering Lab to a larger ecosystem of guidance and mentorship.
“The Atal Tinkering Lab is a fitting tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These labs are empowering our young students and providing them with the tools for new discovery and self-development, and imparting skills like problem-solving. By nurturing the curiosity of India’s ‘Amrit Generation,’ ATL labs are laying the foundation for a developed and aspirational nation,” he said.
The LG also spoke on the “steady transformation taking place in J&K’s innovation ecosystem at the school level” by Atal Tinkering Labs.
Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Kulgam, Shopian, Srinagar and many other districts are witnessing significant rise of student-led innovation and equipping students with future-ready skills, he said.
The LG expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 500 additional Atal Tinkering Labs for Jammu and Kashmir, at a cost of Rs 100 crore, under the Frontier Region Program.
He said these additional labs will play a crucial role in inclusive innovation by starting Atal Tinkering Labs in remote and tribal areas.
The LG also emphasised the need to increase the number of Atal Tinkering Labs in the Jammu division. He said these labs will provide the youth of the region with the vast opportunity to invent effective solutions to local problems in areas such as agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, and disaster management.
The LG highlighted that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, innovation is no longer limited to industries; it has become a permanent part of our society.
He urged the youth of Jammu and Kashmir—the future innovators—to take advantage of the support provided by the Government of India and realize their dreams.
The LG said the landmark Rs 1 lakh crore fund for research, development and innovation, for the next six years is accelerating progress in high-priority sectors, ranging from energy security to climate action and deep technologies like Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
He called upon the University of Kashmir to focus on skill development, and capacity building for Atal Tinkering Lab teachers, unlocking their potential and promoting creativity and innovation.
The LG made a special mention of Atal Tinkering Lab students from across Jammu Kashmir for providing innovative solutions to address local problems and challenges. He also visited the stalls showcasing the innovative projects by the students of ATLs and interacted with the young innovators.
The occasion also witnessed the release of the coffee table book celebrating the successful innovations by the ATL students from Jammu Kashmir. The representatives of Corporate and Foundation partners also briefed on their CSR initiatives aimed at fostering a stronger innovation ecosystem in the UT of J&K.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy & Space, also graced the launch ceremony.
