25/08/2026
Senior Citizens Council Submits 10-Point Charter of Demands for Kishtwar Development
Kishtwar, August 25, 2026: The Jammu & Kashmir Senior Citizens Council today submitted a comprehensive 10-point charter of demands to Hon’ble Rajya Sabha Member Janab Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, seeking his intervention in taking up a wide range of long-pending developmental and public-interest issues of District Kishtwar with the Government of India and the concerned Union Ministries.
The delegation, led by Council President Ab Majeed Bichoo, highlighted the pressing need for focused intervention in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, sports, road connectivity, employment and institutional development.
The Council stressed that Kishtwar, being a geographically difficult and predominantly mountainous district, requires special attention and dedicated development mechanisms to overcome its unique challenges.
Key Demands
1. Senior Citizens Clubs:
The Council demanded the establishment of Senior Citizens Clubs at district and tehsil headquarters. Such clubs, it said, would provide a platform for senior citizens to participate in social welfare activities and contribute their experience and knowledge towards community development.
2. 5% Reservation for Kishtwar Students:
A special 5% reservation for students from Kishtwar in professional colleges across India was demanded, keeping in view the district’s geographical isolation, limited educational infrastructure and socio-economic challenges.
3. Government Medical College:
The Council sought immediate sanctioning of a Government Medical College at Kishtwar, stating that the facility would significantly improve access to advanced healthcare for the people of Kishtwar as well as the wider Chenab Valley.
4. Agriculture University:
The delegation demanded a full-fledged Agriculture University at Kishtwar to promote research, education and innovation in saffron cultivation, rajma, guchhi mushrooms, medicinal plants, horticulture, organic farming and other locally important agricultural sectors.
5. Tourism & Adventure Development:
The Council called for the establishment of a Himalayan Mountaineering & Adventure Institute and development of integrated tourist circuits covering Paddar, Marwah-Warwan, Dachhan, Buniywah, Chatroo, Margan Top, Sinthan Top and other unexplored destinations.
The Council emphasized that systematic tourism development could generate substantial employment opportunities for local youth while promoting Kishtwar as a major adventure and eco-tourism destination.
6. Development and Protection of Historic Chowgan Ground:
A special development and beautification package was sought for the historic Chowgan Ground, including proper drainage, flowering beds, jogging tracks, lighting and other public amenities. The Council also called for strict measures to protect the historic ground from encroachments.
7. Kishtwar–Sounder–Dachhan–Marwah Road:
The Council demanded that the Kishtwar–Sounder–Dachhan–Marwah road be handed over to BRO/GREF for development and maintenance as an all-weather road, highlighting its importance for connectivity, local development and the strategic needs of the region.
8. Strengthening Sports Infrastructure:
The Council demanded the immediate completion of the Indoor Stadium at Kishtwar and sanctioning of a full-fledged Sports Stadium in the district. It emphasized that improved sports infrastructure would provide young people with better opportunities to develop their talent and represent Kishtwar at higher levels.
9. Employment & Healthcare Measures:
Among the other major demands were 80% employment for local residents in power projects, subsidized winter helicopter services for Marwah, Warwan and Paddar, and upgrading District Hospital Kishtwar to a 300-bed facility along with establishment of a Nursing College.
10. Hill Council for Kishtwar/Chenab Region:
The Council strongly advocated the creation of a Hill Council for Kishtwar/Chenab region, arguing that a dedicated institutional mechanism would help address the distinct developmental, geographical and administrative requirements of the remote and mountainous areas.
MP Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo Assures Delegation
The Senior Citizens Council urged MP Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo to raise these issues on the floor of Parliament and pursue them with the concerned Union Ministries and authorities.
MP Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo assured the delegation that he would take up and discuss the demands in Parliament and pursue the issues with the concerned authorities.
The Council expressed confidence that sustained intervention at the parliamentary and governmental levels would help bring greater attention to Kishtwar’s long-pending demands.
The delegation emphasized that the development of Kishtwar should be viewed not merely as a local requirement but as an important component of the overall development of the Chenab Valley and the mountainous areas of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Council further appealed to the Government of India and the concerned departments to examine these demands sympathetically and initiate necessary action on priority, keeping in view the aspirations of the people and the unique geographical conditions of the region.
J&K National Conference
J&K National Conference Kishtwar
