STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday appealed to terrorists not to kill and get killed, but contribute to the development of Kashmir.
He also said Kashmir had no relation with Pakistan and that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) will be part of India, “one day”.
“Kashmir is a beautiful place and Srinagar is a beautiful city. The government is trying to boost tourism so that it creates more employment opportunities and benefits the people.
Union Minister Athawale calls on J&K LG
Srinagar: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and discussed a range of issues, an official spokesperson said.
Athawale, the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, met Sinha at Raj Bhawan here.
They discussed a range of issues related to backward classes, senior citizens, drug-abuse and other special schemes aimed at social and economic empowerment of people, the spokesperson said.
Athawale also shared his views on the present developmental scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Gulam Ali Khatana, also called on the Lt Governor and discussed various issues pertaining to public welfare, the spokesperson said. Sinha, while interacting with the newly-elected, MP observed the Union Territory administration is working on all fronts to make every section of the society an equal stakeholder in the development process of Jammu and Kashmir.
We are reaching out to the last person in the queue with all benefits of government schemes and the rapid socio-economic growth taking place in the Union Territory for ensuring inclusive and equitable development for all, Sinha said.
“But to turn this vision into reality, peace is necessary. Terror activities are taking place here I appeal to the terrorists not to kill others and get killed themselves, but take part in the development of Kashmir, Athawale told reporters here.
He said the people in Kashmir were waving the tricolour and that the Valley had no relation with Pakistan anymore.
Pakistan has encroached PoK. One day, the PoK will come to us. The people there want so, they are fed up with Pakistan. We want a united Kashmir and we want its development. Pakistan has to stop attacking us, training terrorists, and misguiding our youth. If Pakistan wants to prosper, it should have good relations with India, he said.
Asked about Congress leader Udit Raj’s remarks about President Droupadi Murmu, he said the statement was inappropriate.
Udit Raj is my friend, but it is not appropriate to make such statements against the President. It is for the first time in the country that (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi gave an opportunity to an Adivasi and a woman to become the President,” he said. At a function recently, Murmu noted that Gujarat manufactures 76 percent of the salt produced in the country. “It can be said that all countrymen eat Gujarat’s salt,” she had said.
Reacting to this, Udit Raj posted a strongly worded tweet saying, “No country should get a president like Droupadi Murmu. This is height of sycophancy. She says 70 per cent of people eat Gujarat’s salt. Spend your life eating salt, then you will know the truth.”
Athawale said, “This is not an issue of Chamchagiri’ (sycophancy), Modi discussed this thoroughly. It had not happened for 70 years. Modi ji and the BJP high command proposed her name after thinking it through. It was also discussed with the NDA and we supported it. So, it is not good (Udit Raj’s statement) and I oppose that statement.
Replying to a question on the Dussehra rallies by two Shiv Sena factions in Maharashtra, Athawale said Eknath Shinde’s party was the real Shiv Sena.
Both the rallies were huge, but Shinde’s rally was much bigger. Shinde’s Shiv Sena is the real one, they have two-third majority and so they will get the party symbol. I am of the belief that the Election Commission will decide in their favour, he said.
On Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Miniser said that development and peace in the Union Territory is the top priority of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government which is evident now with the visit of lakhs of tourists this year and the beginning of investment processes in thousands of crores in different sectors in Jammu and Kashmir for the welfare of the people.
Ramdas Athawale said that the peaceful atmosphere, which is now prevalent in J&K under the present government, has been able to attract lakhs of tourists which is a positive sign and will create job opportunities for the youth of J&K besides infrastructure development in the tourism sector.
Athawale said that the government wants to create more employment opportunities for the youth of J&K by attracting private sector investment. Many private sector investors have come to Jammu and Kashmir and will invest thousands of crores of rupees for the welfare of the Union Territory, the minister added.
Asserting that J&K is and was the integral part of India, Athawale said that it is in the interest of Pakistan to improve relations with India for peace to prevail and for its own development.
Ramdas Athawale said that from last many years, the gates of development have opened for J&K which is evident from the fact that all the centrally sponsored schemes and programmes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, MUDRA, PM Ujjwala Yojana, Scholarship Schemes for Students, Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are now implemented in J&K.
Athawale further said that hundred percent implementation of many central schemes in J&K is witness to the fact that Govt. of India is steadfast to provide social stability at all fronts be that housing, livelihood etc. to the people of J&K.
The Minister Informed that under PM Narendra Modi implementation of the social welfare schemes has picked up pace in Jammu and Kashmir which is evident from the fact that under PM Jan Dhan Yojana, between 2014-2022 (September), 26 lakh accounts have been opened in J&K, under PM Ujjwala Yojana between 2016-22 (September), 12 lakh 43 thousand gas connections have been allotted to the beneficiaries, under PM Awas Yojana (Urban) between 2015-22 (September), 15 thousand houses have been constructed in J&K, under PM Awas Yojana (Rural), ninety thousand houses have been constructed, under PM Jan Arogya Yojana, 05 lakh 09 thousand have been benefited in J&K and under Ujala Yojana, 85 lakh LED bulbs have been issued in J&K. The Minister informed that between 2019-22 (September), 1720 De-addiction centers have been either funded or established under Financial Assistance for the establishment of De-addiction centers out of which 12 have been either funded or established in Jammu and Kashmir.