SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) Policy 2026, describing it as an important initiative for promoting clean energy, waste management and a circular economy in the Union Territory.
The policy, approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by Omar Abdullah, provides a framework for converting organic waste into compressed bio-gas for use as automotive fuel and into organic fertiliser.
It seeks to utilise various sources of organic waste, including cattle dung, apple pomace, municipal solid waste, pine needles and crop residues, while addressing issues related to waste management, energy security, rural employment and sustainable agriculture.
Under the policy, eligible CBG projects will receive capital expenditure support of ₹0.50 crore per tonne per day (TPD), subject to a maximum assistance of ₹10 crore per project. Government land will be offered at a nominal lease rate of ₹1 per square metre, along with a 100 per cent exemption from stamp duty.
The policy also provides for deemed approvals within 60 days for eligible non-statutory permissions through the Single Window Portal, subject to the applicable conditions.
Other incentives include 100 per cent SGST reimbursement for the first five years, a manpower subsidy of ₹3,000 per month for each local unskilled worker for two years, and interest subvention of up to ₹2 crore on bank term loans.
The Government will facilitate the aggregation of feedstock and create market linkages for bio-manure, with a target of supplying bio-manure to 10,000 farmers.
The policy also aims to create around 2,000 direct rural jobs by 2030, apart from employment and livelihood opportunities across the wider CBG value chain.
The policy will remain in force until 2032 and seeks to encourage green investment, decentralised waste-to-energy solutions and rural economic activity.
Omar Abdullah congratulated Science & Technology Minister Satish Sharma and the Department of Science & Technology for notifying the policy, describing it as a step towards sustainable energy development and more efficient utilisation of resources in Jammu & Kashmir.