‘Our strategy is to demolish entire terror eco-system’
STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has declared that there will be no government job and facilities for anyone in Jammu and Kashmir, who is even remotely, associated with terrorists or terror activities.
“Work is on to eliminate the entire terrorism ecosystem. Our strategy is not to eliminate terrorists only but demolish the entire terror ecosystem”, Sinha asserted while replying to a volley of questions on varied subjects during Network News 18 India Choupal Conclave in the national capital.
Referring to the recent civilian killings in the Valley, the Lieutenant Governor said all those responsible for such killings have been eliminated as had been promised by him. He termed civilian killings as the result of frustration and reaction to growing peace, progress, prosperity and normalcy in the Valley.
On Kashmiri Pandit Rehabilitation, the LG said that the PM employment package has been implemented fully and 6000 posts have almost been filled. Out of 6000 houses, 3500 houses are under construction and the rest will be completed within a year. He said encroached Migrant properties are being restored to original owners across the valley.
Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ruled any engagement with any third party.
“The Union Territory Administration and the Centre has a clear cut policy of engaging with the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir– an integral part of our country and there is no question of engaging with any third party”, the Lieutenant Governor said.
Replying to a question on political process, Sinha said that full freedom and security will be provided for conducting political activities. He said the Constitution of India guarantees freedom to everyone. He referred to the District Development Council elections and said that all political parties participated in these polls, held in a free and fair atmosphere without any violence, and the voting was more than Assembly and Parliament elections. He also referred to the first ever widespread celebrations on Independence day, saying that the Tricolor was hosted for the first time in all schools, colleges, Panchayats across the Kashmir Valley.
When asked as to what was the political roadmap for J&K, the LG said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the Union Territory has already announced that elections will be held after the Delimitation exercise culminates and then after Statehood will be restored. He said only Parliament can restore the statehood, and the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have spoken on this issue in detail in Parliament and to the country.
When asked as to what had changed in the past two year in Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370 abrogation, Sinha said the people of the Union Territory can better answer this question. He, however, gave you some metrics to understand what has changed and said in 2018-19, after spending Rs 67000 crores less than 10000 projects were completed, whereas in 2019-20, more than 21000 projects have been completed after spending only Rs 63000 crores.
“Executing more projects with comparatively less expenditure is what has changed in the UT”, the LG said adding that 11000 candidates have secured government jobs in the most fair and transparent recruitment process in the history of J&K. Average income of farmers in J&K is around Rs 19000, which is fifth highest in the country. In road construction, three years back J&K used to be at 11th, 12th in the whole country, he said adding that in the last two years, the Union Territory has graduated to 3rd place achieving road construction 2.5 times the previous years. On average per year 2500-2600km of road used to be macdamised in a year but last year 5600 kms were macademised and this year 8000 kms would be completed. He said 25 national Highways are under construction in J&K.
Sinha said that more domestic flights have started in J&K and International Flights to Sharjah were also started from Srinagar.
Referring to the power sector, Sinha said the maximum realized power potential was only 3500MW and with the new power projects the generation will be doubled in next 5 years to move towards self sufficiency in the sector.
In Health Infrastructure, he said, J&K had only 3 Medical colleges while 7 new Medical colleges have now been established, 2 new AIIMS, two new Cancer institutes besides many nursing colleges have also come up.
On the New Industrial Policy, the LG said that the proposed investment that the government has already received has crossed Rs. 31,000 Cr, twice what was expected.
“Proposals worth Rs.15000 Cr. already approved”, he added.
Sinha said that the tourist footfall has increased manifold in the UT during winter months. From 1935 tourists in June 2020, the number has increased to 1282572 in September 2021. Winter season is witnessing 100 per cent high-end-hotel occupancy in Srinagar and at prominent tourist destinations, he said.
Enumerating the benefits of Article 370 abrogation while answering to a question, the Lieutenant Governor said that reservation benefits have percolated to all eligible communities, who remained deprived since long. Certain communities of J&K like Khatri, Mahajans etc were not allowed to purchase agricultural land and that has been changed now. He said the Forest Rights Act has been implemented in toto while Domicile rights to women are restored. He said marginalised communities are being brought into mainstream.
Sinha envisioned a fear-free, corruption-free, democratic, and developed Jammu and Kashmir contributing for a developed India.
“Overall, the people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace, prosperity and growth”, the Lieutenant Governor summed up.