Claiming that Article 370 and dynastic politics had deliberately deprived the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday that the days of separatism, terrorism, corruption and dynastic politics are over and that the Union Territory is witnessing a new dawn of peace and progress.
“While the abrogation of Article 370 has brought a new dawn of hope to the aspirations of the people of J&K UT and the overall economy has taken a quantum leap, the Pakistan occupied Kashmir suffers from extreme poverty and an ailing economy,” Sinha said.
He made these remarks during the release of Sheikh Khalid Jehangir’s book “The Two Kashmirs”, an official spokesperson said.
The LG, he said, commended the author for effectively countering the false propaganda and calling out the “lies and duplicity” of Pakistan.
“This book sheds light on harsh realities of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, where people are deprived of basic amenities, infrastructure, investment and welfare schemes. It has been kept in complete darkness for the last 75 years,” the LG said.
“The poverty stricken country which failed to provide even basic facilities to its people continues to make nefarious attempts to mislead our youth. The society needs to identify and unmask Pakistan and its Sympathizers,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, the LG further stated that the days of separatism, terrorism, corruption and dynastic politics are over in J&K.
“Article 370 and dynastic politics had deliberately deprived the people of UT. Now, it’s a new dawn of peace and progress. J&K has set new trends in development. Today, common people have become partners in J&K’s developmental journey,” Sinha said.
“On development front, Jammu Kashmir is presenting a new example before the world. Today, the citizens of Jammu Kashmir are contributing to nation-building, creating a rich legacy for future generations. On the other hand, the neighbouring country is building terror training camps & safe haven for the terrorists,” he added.
The LG, as per the spokesperson asserted that J&K was witnessing progress and prosperity post-abrogation of Article 370.
Sinha, he said, maintained that Health, education, infrastructure, industries, agriculture, start-ups, tourism, connectivity, sports, handicrafts, e-governance, ease of living, empowerment of farmers, youth & women, in every sector, the UT of Jammu Kashmir was emerging as a top performer.
“There was a time when Pulwama used to be in the news for all the wrong reasons, but today Pulwama has become the top-ranked region in the District Performance Index and is also gradually emerging as the new business hub of the Kashmir Valley,” the LG said.
The LG, the spokesperson said, also stated that big companies of the country and abroad are investing in Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha said that social equity, transparent & accountable governance system, improved work culture have reduced the development gap of decades.
“This is the new J&K which has become synonymous with prosperity, progress of youth and welfare of the common man. The administration no longer works for a few families but for 1 crore 30 lakh citizens of J&K. We have been successful in ensuring people’s trust in the Rule of Law,” the LG said, while urging people to join hands and work towards achieving peace, greater progress and for upholding the pride of the tricolor.
Sheikh Khalid Jehangir, author of the book, according to the spokesperson, threw light on the contents of the book and gave a comparative overview of the development scenario of Jammu Kashmir and PoK.
Prof. Nilofar Khan, VC, University of Kashmir; Ashish Sood, Senior Politician; Rana Banerji, Distinguished Fellow at Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies and Renu Kaul Verma, CEO Vitasta Publishing Limited were also present on the occasion at India International Centre, New Delhi.
Organized by the International Centre for Peace Studies, the book launch event was followed by a session on “Jammu Kashmir: 75-Glorious Years and Looking Ahead.”
J&K Marching Ahead To A Glorious Future: LG
Asserting that Jammu Kashmir is marching ahead to a glorious future with a new self-confidence, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday that 100% saturation of social security and welfare schemes under the guidance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has improved the living standards of the poor, farmers and the deprived section of the society
Sinha made these remarks during the inauguration of Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s LPG Bottling Plant at Vessu-Nipora in Anantnag district on Wednesday, an official spokesperson said.
The LG, he said, congratulated IOC, Jhelum Oil Agency and the people of the region on the commissioning of the new LPG bottling Plant and said that the Plant has the capacity to supply 3240 cylinders per day and will cater to the surge in demand of LPG during the winter season
“Jammu Kashmir is marching ahead to a glorious future with a new self-confidence. 100% saturation of social security and welfare schemes under the guidance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has improved the living standards of the poor, farmers and the deprived section of the society,” Sinha said.
“Under Ujjwala Yojana 1.0, a total of 8 crore poor, deprived, backward, tribal families across the country were given LPG connections, while Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 aims to provide LPG connections to 1 crore low-income households that could not be covered under the first phase,” he added.
The LG, as per the spokesperson said that social movements such as Ujjwala Yojna have brought massive transformation in the lives of women.
“Under the guidance of Prime Minister issues of basic amenities such as Housing, Electricity, Water, Toilet, Gas, Roads, Hospital and School have been addressed to benefit all sections of the society,” the LG said.
“About 12.41 lakh households in Jammu and Kashmir have been provided LPG connections under Ujjwala 1.0 and it is our endeavor to extend the benefit to the left-out low-income households,” he added.
The LG, the spokesperson said, further asked the officials and stakeholders to ensure that no eligible beneficiary remains left out under the Ujjawala Yojana.
He said Sinha also shared the details of the mass awareness programme of all services under the Public Services Guarantee Act during the Back to Village-IV programme.
According to the spokesperson, Jitendra Kumar, Executive Director and State Head, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) in his welcome address termed the day as a significant occasion for IOCL and expressed gratitude to the LG -led UT Government for their support.
Kumar, he said, informed about the increased availability of petroleum products in the UT, besides the installation of CNG infrastructure in Jammu Division. He further shared the vision of IOCL to become carbon neutral by 2046.
“The new LPG Bottling Plant is set up over five acres of land having an annual capacity of 12,000 MT and daily capacity to dispatch 10 LPG trucks, i.e. 3240 cylinders per day, and can store more than 500 filled cylinders. Apart from Indian Oil, the distributors of BPCL and HPCL will also be supplied continuously through the Plant,” the spokesperson said.
He further said that LG along with other dignitaries also planted a tree sapling to mark the occasion. Composite Gas Cylinders were also distributed among the consumers.