The discovery of lithium in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district may well turn out to be “India’s next big story”, giving a multi-fold boost to the country’s economy, especially, the reach and scope of EV batteries.
“Analysis suggests that the value of lithium deposits in Reasi may be higher than in China,” said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, stating that Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries and there is a huge demand for Lithium as the world turns to renewable energy.
The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has huge natural resources that would drive India’s future growth story during the Amrit Kaal towards attaining a ViksitBharat@2047, he said.
Dr Singh, who represents Udhampur constituency of J&K in the Lok Sabha, said to boost the local economy efforts were being made to increase the number of geo-tagged items from J&K.
He also highlighted the various infrastructure projects such as Ujh Multipurpose project, Shahpur Kandi dam project, construction of the world’s highest railway bridge on Chenab river in Reasi, setting up of AIIMS and IIMs that are changing the shape of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “In Kathua district, an engineering college has started functioning and medical college will also be opened soon. North India’s first biotech park will be set up in Kathua in J&K,” he said, adding that a record number of tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir this year. During an interaction with students, the minister said they have got the opportunity to study in premier universities and colleges under the PM Special Scholarship Scheme.
Citing the success of Aroma Mission and Purple Revolution in J&K, Dr Jitendra Singh encouraged schoolchildren to look for opportunities outside government job. Lavender is an avenue of agri start-ups, employment generation and research, opening many paradigms of development, he said.
“Bhaderwah has emerged as the lavender capital of India and agri start-up destination. Following the success of Aroma Mission and Purple Revolution in Bhaderwah and Gulmarg regions, over 3,000 startups are now engaged in lavender cultivation alone,” he said.