“Restoration of Statehood…we must wait for appropriate time”
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed unprecedented transformation over the past five to six years under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Across every sector, whether it be infrastructure, economy, education, or governance, remarkable progress has been made”, he said in an interview to a national news portal ‘THE WEEK, adding that one of the foremost achievements has been ensuring transparency and accountability.
To a question on restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said: “When the Home Minister introduced the Bill in Parliament to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A, he laid out a clear roadmap: first delimitation, then assembly elections, and finally, statehood at an appropriate time. Delimitation, which many doubted, was completed. Elections were held peacefully, with high voter turnout, and an elected government is now in place. The third step-statehood-was mentioned as something that would come at the appropriate time. Since it was stated in Parliament, it is an assurance that will certainly be fulfilled. However, as the Home Minister said, the timing must be appropriate, and we must wait for that moment.”
“Starting from the beginning, Article 370 was abrogated on August 5, 2019. I assumed office in August 2020. By August 7, it will be five years since that historic step,” LG Manoj Sinha said.
Elaborating on the transformation and infrastructure development, Manoj Sinha said that across every sector, whether it be infrastructure, economy, education, or governance, remarkable progress has been made. One of the foremost achievements has been ensuring transparency and accountability. The region’s economy has nearly doubled in this period. For instance, J&K Bank, which once ran losses of Rs 1,200- Rs 1,300 crore, is now showing profits of Rs 1,700 crore,” the LG said.
In terms of infrastructure, the LG said, major work has been carried out on highways and tunnels.
“I remember that when I first arrived, the journey from Jammu to Srinagar used to take 8 hours. Today, it takes just 4.5 hours. Highway and tunnel projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore are currently underway. In rural road development under PMGSY, about 99% of villages with a population above 250 (based on the 2001 Census) have been connected. In PMGSY-IV, more than Rs 4,000 crore has been sanctioned to connect the remaining villages listed in the 2011 Census,” LG Manoj Sinha said.
On the education and healthcare front, the LG said, Jammu and Kashmir now has premier institutions like IIT, IIM, NIFT, AIIMS, and seven new medical colleges-all made possible due to the Prime Minister’s vision.
In the power sector, he said, we used to have a generation capacity of 3,450 MW. Over the past five years, projects exceeding 3,100 MW have been sanctioned, and they will begin generating power soon. Transmission and distribution capabilities have also improved significantly.
Tourism has seen a boom, with around 2.38 crore tourists visiting last year alone, he said adding that this not only strengthened the economy but also generated employment.
“Earlier, private investment in industry was minimal-around Rs 14,000 crore. Thanks to the new industrial scheme introduced with the Government of India’s support, investment worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore has already been realized. Projects worth another Rs 28,000-30,000 crore are at various stages of development, creating further job opportunities,” Sinha said.
From a governance perspective, he said, “Reforms like BEAMS and GFR have been implemented. More than 1,140 services are now available online in Jammu and Kashmir. Land records have been digitized. In agriculture, which supports about 70% of the population, we launched a Holistic Agriculture Development Plan in 2022, aiming to double the sector’s contribution to GDP within five years. With the help of India’s top agri-experts, 29 targeted projects were created under this plan, which are now progressing well. In every sector, significant development has taken place under the guiding policy of “Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and People First.”
On the issue of security and terrorism, he said, a major shift has occurred.
The Home Minister has consistently led security reviews and issued clear policy directions. The shift in approach is clear-we no longer “buy peace,” we “establish peace.” Our security forces, including the J&K Police, Indian Army, and CAPFs, have created an atmosphere where shutdowns and hartals no longer happen at Pakistan’s command. Nightlife has returned. Stone-pelting incidents have ceased. Local militant recruitment has fallen sharply, and top commanders of various terrorist outfits have been eliminated,” the LG said.
“Pakistan, unable to tolerate the peace and prosperity in J&K, has continued to push terrorists across the border,” he said adding that however, our security forces are fully alert and have responded firmly.
“Where earlier more than 150 locals joined terrorism each year, this year only one person has done so. Last year, the number was around six. This indicates that the progress of the last five to six years has restored people’s trust. More people are now stakeholders in peace and beneficiaries of prosperity,” Sinha said.
“We are also focusing on terror victims. At a recent event in Baramulla, I met several families affected by terrorism. It was a deeply emotional experience. Many of these families had not received financial assistance, jobs, or even had FIRs registered. Some had their homes or land illegally occupied. We’ve now decided, in consultation with senior officials, to extend financial assistance and government jobs to eligible victims. At the Baramulla event, 40 people received job appointment letters. Cases without FIRs are being examined, and the police are actively registering them where due. Those interested in self-employment will receive help through the PM Mudra Yojana. Efforts are also being made to recover properties that were encroached upon. This is a government-wide, humane approach to provide justice, dignity, and healing to victims whose voices went unheard for decades,” the LG said.
On Operation Sindoor, Sinha said, the Prime Minister made it clear-it is not over.
The LG said Prime Minister emphasized that “terror and talks cannot go together,” “terror and trade cannot go together,” and “water and terrorism cannot flow together…PM stated that any act of terror will be treated as an “act of war.”
“Our armed forces are on full alert and capable of facing any situation, as the country and the world saw recently when terror camps were destroyed in a swift operation. When Pakistan attempted to strike a military establishment, we responded with a clear message: everything in Pakistan is within our reach. The use of indigenous military equipment has further bolstered national confidence and global recognition,” the LG said.
Speaking of “New Kashmir,” he said, it is a region with peace and without hartals.
“No longer do we follow calendars from across the border. Instead, academic calendars are released. Cinema halls are functioning again. Muharram processions have resumed after 33-34 years. People of all religions-Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians-celebrate their festivals together. The Amarnath Yatra is progressing peacefully. Youth are finding employment. As I said earlier, the economy has doubled. There is a growing aspiration among youth to participate in the vision of a developed India, just like in the rest of the country,” Sinha said.
On the matter of relations between the Chief Minister’s Office and the LG’s Office, he said, “My relationship with the Chief Minister is cordial. As far as powers are concerned, the J&K Reorganisation Act clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the LG and the elected government. If there is any confusion, it’s being addressed through correspondence, and it will be resolved. I know my limits and never act beyond them.”
Regarding concerns raised by Mehbooba Mufti about dismissals under Article 311 being targeted at a specific community, he said, “I must clarify-dismissals have occurred across communities. Religion has no role in this. The provision exists to protect the state from internal threats. Every case is investigated thoroughly. Not a single person has been dismissed without a prior record of terror involvement or conviction. Several have served jail terms. We ensure no innocent is ever harmed, but those who have endangered national security will face action.”
On census and delimitation, the LG said, “The national process is now underway. Once completed, we can discuss how it will impact J&K. As for my five-year tenure, I feel satisfied that I’ve used my abilities and worked with honesty to bring peace and development to Jammu and Kashmir, improve its economy, and create jobs for the people. I also take pride in the fact that the authority of the Indian state is now fully established in J&K and that the region is completely integrated with the rest of the country. That, I believe, is a historic achievement.”
As far as policing and security powers are concerned, he said, “Jammu and Kashmir is a border state with a challenging neighbour. Therefore, it is essential that the Union Home Ministry continues to monitor law and order. Once conditions normalize further, the Ministry will surely review the situation.