𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐋𝐆 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐣 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.
EMAAD MAKHDOOMI
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hoisted the tricolour at the function on the occasion of 77th Independence Day at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on Tuesday. LG Sinha inspected the parade and took a salute at an impressive march past. Independence Day parade consisted of various contingents of BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, JKAP IRP, JKP women contingents, SDRF , Fire and Emergency services, J&K Police, Civil Defence, Forest Protection Force, National Cadet Corps, School Students, Brass Bands of J&K Police, BSF and J&K Police Pipe Band. In his Independence Day speech, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that “overwhelming participation of citizens in the G20 Summit, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and Muharram procession after three decades, testify the beginning of a new era of peace and tranquility for the Union territory.” While paying tributes to martyrs on the occasion of Independence Day, the LG said, “ I pay tributes to the brave soldiers of J&K Police, the Central Security Forces and the armed forces. Their awe-inspiring courage, relentless bravery and selfless sacrifice in defence of the motherland have become the guiding light for the entire nation. He said that “ Balidaan Stambh, being developed in the heart of Srinagar, shall be our tribute to the jawans of army, paramilitary forces and police personnel who laid down their lives in combating terrorism, and it shall inspire the new generation to walk the righteous path.” On the occasion, the LG said, “ We are fully committed to safeguard national interests and if provoked, we are capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression.” While talking about peace and inclusive development, the LG said, “ By dismantling the terror ecosystem, every citizen has been given the opportunity to live their lives fearlessly and on their own terms.” He said “ Apart from merit-based selections for 29,806 government jobs, countless self-employment opportunities are being made available to kick start the entrepreneurial journeys of youth.” While claiming a new recognition to the Union territory on the world tourism map , LG Sinha said, “ Since the G20 event, there has been an increase of 59% in foreign tourist arrivals in Kashmir Valley, as compared to the previous year. Further, we have welcomed 1.27 crore tourists till July this year, another record in the history of the tourism sector.” He said that “ While preserving the cultural heritage of J&K, 300 new destinations and sites are being developed. Tourism Sector has been granted the status of industry, and we have launched a new home-stay policy, film policy and established tented colonies to strengthen the economy and create new employment opportunities for people associated with the tourism sector.” LG Sinha said , “ Under the Prime Minister’s Development Program, 32 projects, out of the sanctioned 53, have been completed and out of the remaining 21 projects, 13 projects shall be completed during the current financial year.” Talking about the threshold of an Industrial Revolution and the first foreign direct investment proposal in the UT, LG Sinha said, “ Industrial investment of over Rs 27,000 crores has been approved so far, including record private investment of Rs 2153.45 crores in the last financial year. J&K has received investment proposals worth over Rs 80,000 crores till July 31, 2023.” He said “ Land has been allotted to Emaar Group for constructing a 1 million sq.ft. shopping mall in Srinagar and land for construction of two IT towers, one each in Srinagar and Jammu has also been allocated to the Emaar Group.” While asserting that the J&K Government is fully committed to the welfare and justice to Kashmiri Pandit community, the LG said, “ The process of construction of houses for Kashmiri Pandit Government employees has been expedited and all the projects will be completed within the time-frame.” LG Sinha said, “ J&K Government has decided to allot 5 marlas land to each landless eligible Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (G) beneficiary that will ensure house is constructed under the scheme.” He said that “In the year 2023-24 , sanction has been accorded to the construction of 1.99 lakh houses under PMAY(G) scheme.” He said, “ Many steps have been taken to ensure corruption-free Jammu and Kashmir and increased ease of living of citizens. With an average of 20 lakh e-transactions per day, we are competing with developed states. 480 government offices have been connected with e-office. 722 online services are being made available to people. 301 services have been integrated with Rapid Assessment System.” Emphasising a new blueprint of infrastructural development at the grassroots levels, the LG said, “infrastructure projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crores are under execution. The construction of 15 road projects under PMDP, 21 new tunnels, 39 new flyovers, 26 bypasses and 2 ring roads will prove to be the new foundation of modern and Aatm-Nirbhar J&K. “ Cultural pageantry with themes of national integration demonstrated the shared commitment to fundamental values of social harmony, and the artists representing the glorious composite heritage also exhibited the glimpses of a new and resurgent Jammu & Kashmir. LG Manoj Sinha handed over the cash prizes to the winners of the national anthem singing competition and student groups who excelled in the cultural items. Various contingents of security forces who took part in the Independence Day parade were also felicitated by LG Sinha. Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Justice N. Kotiswar Singh , State Election Commissioner BR Sharma, Judges of the High Court, Panchayat Raj Institution representatives, Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junaid Azim Mattu, Vice Chairperson J&K Waqf Board Dr. Darakshan Andrabi , Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, DGP Dilbag Singh, SDG CID J&K RR Swain, GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, former legislators, senior civil, police and Army officers, political and social activists were present on the occasion at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.