From power to every village and metro train in Srinagar and Jammu
By KL Correspondent
In his Republic Day speech the Lt Governor Manoj Singh described conduct of the district development elections as a major success of his government. He also talked about the government reaching to the doorsteps of people and providing the facilities being in an accountable and transparent manner. He warned against conspiracy of a neighbouring country without naming any while hinting toward Pakistan. “The security agencies have effectively controlled violence and those who are trying to fulfil their political motives with the help of this proxy war, are being given a befitting reply,” Sinha says. He says the government announced a new industrial development scheme 2021 amounting to Rs. 28,400 crores to attract the country’s major industries and investment in Jammu and Kashmir and expand existing industries. “This scheme, which will continue till 2037, will take industrial investment to the block level so that the goal of equal, balanced and sustainable economic development can be achieved,” he says. He asked people not to worry about the new land laws saying, “I fully assure you the safety of every inch of your land.” He talked at great length about the Ratle power project, saying “the government has given the green signal to an investment of Rs. 52,821 crores in the hydroelectric power sector.”
“On the 20th of January, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the Union Cabinet gave the green signal to the Rs 5282 crores Ratle Power Project. This 850 MW Project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar will be completed in the next 5 years,” he says.
He says people will soon see a metro rail running on 23 km long route in Jammu, and 25 km in Srinagar.
Here are excerpts from his speech:
“For a long time, the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir were denied grassroots democracy. We have been successful in conducting a violence free, free and fair elections to District Development Councils. The high turnout of voters broke the records of many previous elections. I specially congratulate the enlightened citizens, all voters, Central Security Forces, Army, Police and Administrative officials for this,” he said.
He said 2020 has been a year of unprecedented change in Jammu and Kashmir. Through a continuous process of change, the roots of progress have been planted in the new Jammu and Kashmir. “With the Constitution of India in one hand and the Tricolour in the other, all the people of villages and towns, with dreams of progress in their eyes, have started building a new Jammu and Kashmir to fulfil their ambitions and those of the nation,” he added.
“We want to assure all citizens that the political conspiracies and nefarious designs of a neighbouring country will never be allowed to succeed in this land of great persons and warriors. The security agencies have effectively controlled violence and those who are trying to fulfil their political motives with the help of this proxy war, are being given a befitting reply,” Sinha said without naming Pakistan.
He said the government is reaching to the doorsteps of people. The facilities being provided by the government in an accountable and transparent manner, sports promotion and cleanliness campaigns are bringing good results. Under the ‘Back to Village’ programme, more than 15000 young men and women have been provided financial assistance to become entrepreneurs. Under various government schemes like MGNREGA, 14th Finance Commission and District Capex Budget, more than 25,000 new projects have been started for the development of villages.
“In September last year, the Government had provided an economic package of Rs. 1350 crore for immediate relief to businesses and people associated with it who were suffering from the distress of corona virus. Both small and big businessmen and business establishments were given a record 5% interest subvention. On the other hand, 50% relief was given in electricity and water bills for industrial and commercial consumers. Relief was provided to the people associated with transport, tourism, working class and those connected with the construction sector. The results of timely decisions are visible today in villages, cities, farms, factories, hospitals and schools. In social welfare schemes too, more than 95% saturation has been achieved,” he added.
“In the beginning of this year, we have announced a New Industrial Development Scheme 2021 amounting to Rs. 28,400 crores to attract the country’s major industries and investment in Jammu and Kashmir and expand existing industries.This scheme, which will continue till 2037, will take industrial investment to the block level so that the goal of equal, balanced and sustainable economic development can be achieved,” he says.
“New land laws have been introduced for agricultural and industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir. The old laws were a hindrance to the development and hence, have been abolished. In order to promote industries, a land bank is being created at a massive level and we are proud that two big and five small industrial estates will be completed by March 2021. Dismissing all rumours and apprehensions, I fully assure you the safety of every inch of your land,” he added.
“Today Jammu and Kashmir is a rising power, fast emerging as a national leader in technology, horticulture and new research. Two IT towers will soon be established to boost the IT industry. Along with this, IT Parks and Call Centres shall be established in all the twenty districts of the Union Territory. An agreement has been reached with the department under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region to promote bamboo industry. This will benefit the handicraft artisans and farmers and in future, industrial clusters of bamboo and bamboo industry estates will also be developed,” Lt. Governor said.
He says Jammu and Kashmir Government has simplified the complex mining process. E-auction of mineral blocks is being done by the Department of Geology and Mining in a transparent manner. Due to complex auctioning process, the prices of construction material had gone up, which are expected to fall significantly in the coming days. The revenue of the Union Territory will increase, strengthening the economy. “As a result of the tireless efforts of the Government on various fronts, the fast booming tourism industry has become a symbol of prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir. The number of tourists coming here has surpassed many major tourist places of the country. We are also striving to include the world famous Mughal Gardens of Kashmir in UNESCO world heritage sites,” he added.
“To give wings to the huge potential of the tourism industry, tourism promotion schemes will be continued for the next fifteen years. The Government is working on the conservation and development of major tourist destinations of Jammu division like Mansar, Surinsar, Bagh-e-Bahu; and Doodhpathri, Bangus Valley etc in Kashmir Division, which so far have remained neglected,” he added.
He said to make 20-22 hours electricity available in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir, like in other states, the Government has given the green signal to an investment of Rs. 52,821 crores in the hydro electric power sector. “We will make Jammu and Kashmir self reliant in the field of electricity for the first time by generating as much electricity in 4 years as was created in the last seventy years. Along with this, new projects are also being set up to strengthen the transmission and distribution infrastructure. Recently on the 20th of January, under the chairmanship of Honourable Prime Minister, the Union Cabinet has given the green signal to the Rs 5282 crores Ratle Power Project. This 850 MW Project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar will be completed in the next 5 years,” he added.
He said the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Development Package has gained tremendous momentum. Out of 54 projects, 20 important projects have been completed and 16 others will be completed by March 2021. Eight other projects will be completed by December 2021. It is a matter of great pride that the Katra-Banihal Section of the Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line will be completed by August 2022 connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
“You will soon see a Metro Rail running on 23 km long route in Jammu, and 25 km in Srinagar. Works are being carried out at a fast pace in AMRUT Mission and Smart City Mission to rejuvenate the cities. Keeping in view the basic amenities like sewer, waste management, rain water harvesting, transport, parks for the children, good road and greenery all around, work is being done in all the cities of Jammu and Kashmir in mission mode. Financial aid is being provided to the identified street vendors of the cities affected by corona,” he says.
“Jammu and Kashmir has set a new example in the road infrastructure sector in the country. Today Jammu and Kashmir is number one in the entire country in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Before the onset of summers, all major roads in Jammu and Kashmir shall be made pothole free. 110 projects which were hanging for many years have been completed in a record three months time. In the coming days, all the villages with the population of 250 will be connected through paved roads,” he added.
“Jammu and Kashmir has got a historic opportunity to become a pioneer in the field of agriculture and horticulture. The government is making every effort to double the income of farmers and special attention is being paid to both traditional agriculture and horticulture. With the collaboration of NAFED, Rs. 1700 crore will be invested to boost the production of apples, walnuts, cherries, exotic vegetables and other horticulture products over the next five years. Three cold storage clusters will be setup at Kathua, in North Kashmir and South Kashmir with an investment of Rs. 500 crores. Our goal is to have high density plantation of horticulture crops on about 5500 hectares of land, which will increase the income of farmer brothers by three to four times.”
“There is a need to give the right direction to the immense energy and talent of the youth to usher in the 4th Industrial Revolution. 69% of the population of Jammu and Kashmir is under 35 years of age and with their creativity, they can take the Union Territory to new heights. We have laid emphasis on skill development and industry connect to give a new drive to their passion, enthusiasm and mighty aspirations. Under the Himayat programme, 69 training centres have been set up and 7000 trained youth passed out from these centres are working in various industries today,” he added.
He says government is also in talks with the leading companies of the country to provide employment opportunities with skill development and soon, concrete results will be visible. Our aim is to provide employment opportunities to 80% of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in the next 5 years. The government in collaboration with the Tata Group has started a state-of-the-art skill development centre in Baramulla at a cost of Rs. 181 crore. A similar type of centre with the collaboration of the Tata Group will be made functional in Jammu by February this year. The process of filling up 25000 vacancies in the government is also going on at a rapid pace. In order to give more opportunities to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir for applying to Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Services, the Government has given a onetime relaxation in the age limit for the upcoming recruitment process.
To provide an immediate opportunity for sustainable livelihood to youth in rural and urban areas, the government has launched the “Mumkin” program. Under this program, 2021 youth are being provided mini commercial vehicles at zero margin money. Under this scheme, mini commercial vehicles costing Rs 7.04 Lakh shall be provided for Rs. 5.85 Lakh to the youth. In a major step towards conservation of environment, the Government has abolished 9% tax on electric vehicles. This will prove to be a major initiative to save the environment and promote maximum use of electric vehicles. Alongwith this, the road tax on the tricycles has also been abolished for empowerment of specially-abled persons. In the field of sports, continuous efforts are being made to improve the talent of youth. It is a matter of great pride that sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir is today more developed and modern than most other states and Union Territories. We are setting up academies in every nook and corner to unearth sports talent and bring them to perform on national and world stage. In the field of cricket also, the government has signed an agreement with the former international cricketer Suresh Raina, who is searching for talent in cities and villages and shall be training them.
“The government is determined to enable the honourable return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley. As per the instructions and commitment of Hon’ble Prime Minister, we are working continuously for providing 6000 houses and 6000 jobs to them.”
“”We are working on a policy of zero tolerance against corruption. The continuous action against corrupt people in the last few months shows the commitment of the government against corruption. Tackling corruption is a collective responsibility, so I urge all of you to cooperate with the government in making the administrative system transparent, responsible and accountable to the people. To include the public in the campaign against corruption, the Anti Corruption Bureau has recently started an app namely ‘Satark Nagrik’. The offices of Anti Corruption Bureau are being opened in every corner of the Union Territory to make the bureaucracy corruption free and keep the system clean.
43. In order to maintain the trust of people in institutions it is necessary that administrative work is more and more faceless and paperless. For this, the government has simplified rules, abolished many old laws and the poor are being directly benefited through D.B.T.
44. The role of the government in the public welfare programmes has been kept as a facilitator, so that people through their public representatives decide development works on priority. The government of Jammu and Kashmir is providing better technology, latest infrastructure and equipment to Panchayati Raj Institutions so that they work more effectively and bring better results for the welfare of people.
“The achievements of the last few months are a matter of great pride, but much work remains to be done. We are striving for the overall development of every part of Jammu and Kashmir. I am confident that we will face the upcoming challenges on the foundations of good governance and public participation. Apart from this, we will also accelerate the pace of development and ambitious reforms in new areas. With deep faith in the core values of the Constitution and following high ideals and the path of duty, we will be successful in taking Jammu and Kashmir to the new heights of glory.”
