STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has asserted the determination of the government to take decisive and tough action against terrorism and strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorist-secessionist ecosystem.
“Terrorism is one of the gravest threats to peace and progress”, the Lt Governor said at an impressive function, held to celebrate 77th Independence Day at Bakshi Statdium here after unfurling Tricolour, taking salute and inspecting the parade.
Sinha said the ideology of terrorism and separatism is cancer for the society and all its forms have to be completely eliminated. “We need to identify the remaining elements and isolate them. We need to stop using double standards for terrorism. A terrorist has to be called a terrorist”, he added.
The Lieutenant Governor touched a volley of subjets and dwelt in detail on the achievements registered in Jammu and Kashmir over the years.
“We have reignited love and brotherhood in this sacred soil of Adi Shankaracharya, Kalhana, Lalleshwari, Sheikh-ul-Alam, Syed Simnani, Mata Roop Bhavani and Sikh gurus and propagating the ageless ideals of humanism, communal harmony and peace”, he added while quoting a poem by Dinanath Koul “Nadim”-
He said, “We are rapidly marching forward to build Viksit Jammu and Kashmir. 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. Today, we stand firm in our determination to build the Jammu and Kashmir of our dreams”. He called upon the people to realize their full potential and contribute in the resolution of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. He also stressed the need for making a resolve to work together to fulfill the vision and PanchPran of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I am confident that our collective efforts will result in far greater prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to the successful G20 Summit, he said the event saw massive public participation, testifying that the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir have broken their shackles and they are raring to scale new heights. Notwithstanding the conspiracies and attempts of the neighboring countries to disturb the event, representatives from 27 countries participated in this historic summit – a loud and clear message to our adversaries. The international community, for the first time experienced peace, prosperity, stability and aspirations of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, and witnessed the all round progress of the Union Territory, he added.
Sinha said the G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting not only strengthened diplomatic ties, but also opened new avenues for global partnership that will help in tapping the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir. He took pride in stating that since the G20 event, there has been an increase of 59 per cent in foreign tourist arrivals in Kashmir Valley, as compared to the previous year. Further, 1.27 crore tourists have arrived till July this year, another record in the history of the tourism sector, he added.
Sinha said that another milestone in the list of achievements of 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir is the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra – 2023, which marks the longest pilgrimage of Baba Barfani in history. The message of peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir has attracted devotees not only from various parts of the country but also from abroad, fulfilling the decades old wishes of local and foreign citizens, he said.
“Our Shia brothers were able to take out the procession on traditional routes to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) on Muharram after 34 years”, the Lieutenant Governor added.
He said that during the past three years, diligently infused new momentum has been diligently infused in projects that were stalled for decades. 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, he said.
Sinha said that the first Foreign Direct Investment proposal in the Union territory was approved earlier this year. 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. We have been ranked second among Union territories in NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Ranking. We are the first UT to be integrated with the National Single Window System in Ease of Doing Business. More than 175 services are being provided through a single window system. 19 new industrial estates are being developed. GI tagging of 7 crafts has been approved. Handicraft exports have registered twice the growth in 2022-23 as compared to 2021-22, he added.
Sinha assured all artisans of Jammu & Kashmir that the administration is fully committed to honor and nurture their skills and to provide them with access to the global market. Thousands of village units have been set up under PMEGP and countless employment opportunities have been made available to the youth and artisans, he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that regressive land laws have been abolished. Land owners have been empowered while strict action is being taken against land mafia. Illegally occupied land has been retrieved from the influential people who had encroached upon this valuable resource, he said, adding: “I have always emphasized that the poor and deprived has the first right on Government resources. The land that has been freed from encroachers shall be used for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden”.
He said the new era of development and prosperity has brought new hope amongst the marginalized section of the society. Pucca houses bring in a sense of stability in their lives and augment overall development of the family. To fulfill their dreams of owning a house, the 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. Overall, 3.39 lakh houses have been sanctioned under PMAY(G) scheme and construction of 1.74 lakh houses has been completed. In the year 2023-24, sanction has been accorded to the construction of 1.99 lakh houses under the PMAY (G) scheme, he said.
“I believe it is our sacred duty to empower the deprived sections of society and provide them with new opportunities so that their potential can be harnessed and channelized in the right direction for nation building”, he added.
Sinha said peace and stability have kindled new hopes of a bright future for the coming generation, schools and colleges are functional throughout the year now, and the future of a modern Jammu and Kashmir is being shaped by the implementation of the National Education Policy. Special emphasis is being laid on new skills, research, innovation and future technology under the guidance of the Higher Education Council. Common University Entrance Test has been adopted for admission to undergraduate, integrated, postgraduate, diploma, certification courses and research programs in degree colleges. Uniform academic calendar has been adopted in all higher educational institutions. Gyanodaya Express will provide new opportunities to the students to explore wealth of knowledge and learning beyond the four walls of class rooms. Design Your Degree initiative is triggering the curiosity of educationists from across the country. In the school education sector, emphasis has been laid on Early Childhood Education. Pre-primary classes have been started in more than 15,000 schools. School enrollment has increased by 17.2 per cent due to the Aao School Chale campaign. Through Talaash app, more than 95,000 out of school children have been identified and efforts are being made to re-enroll them in schools”, he added.
He said the aim of his administration is to put a smile on the every person’s face, asserting that sincere efforts have been made for the welfare of people in the Union territory.
Recalling his first I-Day speech as the LG of Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said sincere efforts have been made for the welfare of the people and ensuring peace in everyone’s life.
“Three years ago, on this day, I said to you that I have no promises to make, but I have promises to keep. I have dedicated every moment of my life to keep those promises and to usher Jammu and Kashmir in a new era of peace and prosperity,” he said.
“My ultimate aim is to put a smile on the common man’s face. Every policy and every decision has been taken to ensure that all sections of society — farmers, soldiers, labourers, women, teachers, engineers, doctors and businessmen — are given a fair and equal opportunity for a brighter future, so that they can contribute in building a confident and self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said in his address.
The LG highlighted the steps taken by his administration including reviving tourism, holding G20 working group meeting in Srinagar, dismantling terror ecosystem, providing land to the landless and developing infrastructure in the Union territory.
Sinha termed 2023 as the golden year for Jammu and Kashmir.
The LG lauded the security forces for their role in curbing terrorism in the UT.
“I want to assure our brave soldiers guarding the borders that citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire nation stand shoulder to shoulder with you. We believe in peace, we believe in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and mutual goodwill. We are fully committed to safeguard national interests and if provoked, we are capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression,” he added.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor took salute at an impressive march past of the contingents comprising of J&K Police, Security forces, Schools Students, besides Brass and Pipe bands of J&K Police and the BSF.
He paid tributes to the freedom fighters and brave hearts of police, army and CAPFs.
The Lt Governor felicitated and handed over cash prizes to the winners of the National Anthem singing competition at the UT level Independence Day event. He also felicitated the contingents and groups for best march past and cultural items.