STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar/Rajouri: Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of the country and the Centre along with the state government would take it towards prosperity and start a new chapter of development.
“The Centre, along with the state government, has planned to start a new chapter of development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Your presence in such large numbers here and the warm welcome that you gave us, I feel that it is a stamp on the working of this government.
“I assure you, on behalf of the Prime Minister and PDP-BJP government, that we will put in all strength, to take forward Jammu and Kashmir, which is the crown of the country, on the way of development and prosperity,” Nadda said while addressing people at a function after laying foundation stone of a new government medical college at Anantnag in south Kashmir.
The Union Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a special love towards Jammu and Kashmir and the coalition government in the state was working on the mantra of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikaas’ by taking along everyone on the path of development.
“It is working for everyone and our Prime Minister has a special love towards Jammu and Kashmir.
“You are fortunate that you are getting two AIIMS and not just one.
“One in Awantipora in Pulwama district and the other is Vijaypur in Samba,” he said.
“No other state has got two AIIMS. The land has been identified for both and we have approved the lands.
“We are preparing the project reports and I assure you that the work will soon be started.
“I feel fortunate that I am a part and parcel of the development programme of Jammu and Kashmir. When there was a demand for two AIIMS, I talked to the Prime Minister.
“He told me why I was asking him and directed me to take it forward in any manner,” the minister said.
He said the establishment of five new medical colleges in the state was a new chapter in the history of its development.
“It is important to realize the dreams. I feel happy today that we are giving a shape to the dream of former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee who talked about connecting the valley and its people with the mainstream of development and the dream which Prime Minister Modi took up as a responsibility and the dream for which (former chief minister) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed allied with the BJP.
“The reality of that dream is being written today with the foundation stone of this new college,” he said.
The Union Minister said the medical college would have the strength of 100 seats and later on new courses would be added.
“There would also be a three hundred bedded hospital alongside,” he said.
Nadda said the two AIIMS being established in the state would take it into the mainstream of development.
“Kashmir is also a national and international tourist destination and we have to take it forward for which health infrastructure is very important.
“We will create a new story of development in the state,” he said.
The function was also attended by Union Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. PTI
