Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
On his first visit to Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said only a few political families had benefited from the provision that had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and that the people of J&K were now free from its “shackles”.
At a public rally at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, he highlighted the Centre’s development efforts in J&K over the last five years, and also said that the Congress and its allies “misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the name of (Article) 370”.
Speaking about Article 370, the PM said it was a shackle that the people are now free from. Since the special status was removed, there are equal opportunities and rights for everyone in J&K, he said.
Addressing the crowd, which largely consisted of government employees, Modi said he is “elated and indebted” for the love he received in Srinagar, and that he will “not leave any stone unturned to return the debt of this love”. He also said he is working hard to win the hearts of the people of J&K, and added that he believes he is on the right path.
According to the Union Territory’s administration, around one lakh people joined the PM’s address online in various districts of the Valley.
Follow our election live blog for the latest updates!
This “naya Jammu Kashmir is the one that we had been waiting for, for decades”, the PM said.
“Jammu and Kashmir is breathing freely today, and hence achieving new heights,” the PM said, adding that his government’s decision to include Paharis among groups being included under Scheduled Tribes in J&K would benefit the communities.
“Refugees from Pakistan, the Valmiki community and sanitation workers getting voting rights, fulfilling the demand of the Valmiki community for SC category, reservation of seats in the Assembly for Scheduled Tribes, Paddari tribe, and the inclusion of Paddari tribe, Pahari ethnic group, Gadda Brahmin and Koli communities in the Scheduled Tribes” were among the decision he highlighted.
The Prime Minister also said dynastic politics in J&K had deprived the right to reservation to Other Backward Classes in panchayats and Urban Local Bodies as provided by the government. “Today, every class is being returned its rights,” PM Modi said.
Without naming any regional political parties in his speech, the PM said dynastic politics and corruption have gone hand in hand in J&K for a very long time, and the “decimation” of J&K Bank was a result of that practice.
“They appointed their friends and relatives to the bank and had left the bank struggling,” he said, adding, “The Anti Corruption Bureau is still investigating thousands of such appointments. And over the last five years, thousands of youth in J&K have been provided employment with absolute transparency.”
At the Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir event, he dedicated the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme worth about Rs 5,000 crore to the nation. He also launched multiple projects in the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1,400 crore under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD scheme, including the project for ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ in Srinagar. He also spoke to beneficiaries of government schemes at the venue and through video conferencing.
The Prime Minister also launched the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’, and announced tourist destinations selected under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. He distributed appointment orders to about 1,000 new government recruits of J&K and will also interact with beneficiaries of various government schemes including women achievers, lakhpati didis, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
Stating that the power of development, potential of tourism, capabilities of farmers and leadership of the youth of J&K will pave the way for “Viksit Jammu Kashmir”, the PM recalled the time when laws implemented in the country were not implemented in J&K.
The PM also pointed to two AIIMS coming up in Kashmir as well as in Jammu. He also mentioned the seven new medical colleges, two cancer hospitals and institutes like IIT and IIM being set up in the region.
Highlighting the efforts of the government for the development of the youth of J&K in every field, the Prime Minister said that new opportunities are being created, ranging from skill development to sports and mentioned the modern sports facilities being built in every district of J&K.
He also extended his best wishes to the nation for the upcoming month of Ramzan. “It is my wish that everyone should get the message of peace and harmony from the month of Ramadan. Tomorrow is Mahashivratri, I wish everyone the best on this holy festival,” Modi said.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh, and Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Katana joined the Prime Minister on stage.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
