This was the first visit of Modi to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 by his government in 2019…reports Asian Lite News
Noting that Jammu and Kashmir is touching new heights of development and is breathing freely today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that freedom from restrictions has come after the abrogation of Article 370 which was being used by some political families for their benefit.
Addressing ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme in Srinagar, the Prime Minister said the region is breaking all tourism records.
This was the first visit of Modi to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 by his government in 2019.
He said that Congress and its partners had for decades misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country over Article 370 and people have come to know the truth.
“Today Jammu and Kashmir is touching new heights of development because Jammu and Kashmir is breathing freely today. This freedom from restrictions has come after the abrogation of Article 370,” he said.
“For decades, for political gains, Congress and its allies misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the name of 370 and misled the country. Did Jammu and Kashmir benefit from Article 370 or were only a few political families taking advantage of it? The people of Jammu and Kashmir have come to know the truth that they were misled. Jammu and Kashmir was kept in chains for the benefit of a few families. Today there is no Article 370, hence the talent of the youth of J&K is being fully respected and they are getting new opportunities. Today there are equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone here,” he added.
He said the abrogation of Article 370 has led to the respect of youth’s talent and equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone.
He spoke about the refugees from Pakistan, the Valmiki community and sanitation workers getting voting rights, fulfilling the demand of the Valmiki community for the SC category, reservation of seats in the assembly for Scheduled Tribes and eligibility of several communities for reservation benefit.
Modi said he would not leave any stone unturned to repay the debt of affection of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Whenever I came here after 2014, I have always said that I am working hard only to win your hearts… I am doing all this hard work to win your hearts and I believe that I am on the right path. I will keep trying hard…This is Modi ki guarantee and you know that ‘Modi ki guarantee’ means, there is a guarantee of fulfilling the guarantee,” Modi said.
The Modi government abrogated Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, soon after returning to power in 2019. The state was bifurcated into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In his speech, Modi accused some families of using the resources of Jammu and Kashmir for their benefit. “J-K has been a huge victim of ‘Parivarvad’ and corruption. The previous governments here had left no stone unturned to destroy our J-K Bank, by filling the bank with their relatives and nephews, these ‘Parivarvadis’ have ruined the bank. Due to mismanagement, the bank had incurred so much loss that all of you were in danger of losing thousands of crores of rupees…” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said he has treated the people of Jammu and Kashmir as his family. He greeted people on Ramadan and Shivratri.
“The people of my family stay in my heart, and ‘Main hoon Modi ka Pariwar’ is in the hearts of Kashmiris. I promise that the development works in J-K will not stop at any cost. In the next few days, Ramazan is going to begin. I want to extend my best wishes to the people of the country for Ramazan…Tomorrow, we will celebrate Maha Shivratri, I extend my best wishes to the people of the country for Maha Shivratri as well…” the PM said.
Modi also referred to blooming of lotus in lakes of Jammu and Kashmir and noted that the flower is the symbol of the BJP.
“In the future, the success story of Jammu and Kashmir will be the centre of attraction for the world…Lotus are seen everywhere in the lakes here. The logo of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association formed 50 years ago, also has a lotus. Is it a coincidence or a sign of nature that the BJP’s symbol is also a lotus and Jammu and Kashmir has a deep connection with the lotus,” he said. (ANI)
Modi launches Rs 5,000 cr project in J&K
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore for boosting the agri-economy in Jammu and Kashmir. during his maiden visit to the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 by his government.
He dedicated to the nation the about Rs 5000 crore worth ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Programme’ (HADP)- for boosting agri-economy in Jammu and Kashmir.
HADP is an integrated program encompassing the full spectrum of activities in the three major domains of agri-economy viz Horticulture, Agriculture and Livestock husbandry in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme is expected to equip about 2.5 lakh farmers with skill development via dedicated Daksh Kisan portal. Under the programme, about 2000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars will be established and robust value chains will be put in place for the welfare of the farming community.
The programme will lead to employment generation benefiting lakhs of marginal families in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also launched nationwide projects worth more than Rs 1,400 crore related to the tourism sector under the “Swadesh Darshan” and “PRASHAD” (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes. These include a project for the integrated development of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.
In an effort to create world-class infrastructure and amenities for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Hazratbal Shrine, and to enhance their holistic spiritual experience, the project ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ has been executed.
Modi launched the “Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll” and the “Chalo India Global Diaspora” campaign as well, besides announcing tourist destinations selected under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme.
ALSO READ-Modi’s Visit Promises Healing Touch for Naya Kashmir
[soliloquy id="151345"]