Dear Editor,
The BJP leaders are busy in visiting different states of India to highlight the achievements of Narendra Modi Government’s one year rule at the Centre. In this connection we welcome Home Minister of India Raj Nath Singhs to visit the holy city of temples on 27th May 2015. I would like to draw his attention towards the commitments and promises that were made by the BJP leadership at the time of Parliamentary as well as State Assembly elections with the nation loving people of Jammu, who have stood neglected in all spheres of development during the last 67 years .Some of the promises made are recalled here as under:
Article 370
Arun Jaitley ,Narendra Modi and other prominent BJP leaders in their public speeches on the soil of Jammu had made a commitment that the relevance of Article 370 for the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall be discussed and debated in public forums .Not to speak of it’s abrogation, the discussion on the said Article could not be held so far and was buried deeply under the compulsion of coalition politics.
Separate Townships
In order to provide a healing touch to the wounds of Kashmiri Pandits the proposal of setting up townships in valley for their safe return was initiated in good spirit by the Central Government. The State Government was asked to identify land for this purpose. The proposal seems to be shelved by the Central and State governments under the pressure of separatists who apprehend alteration of demography in the Valley and the result is that the sweet dream of honourable return to Valley by Kashmiri Pandits remains shattered under B.J.P’s rule.
West Pakistan Refugees
The refugees from West Pakistan of 1947,1965 and 1971 were assured that they will be treated at par with the citizens of the State and granted State Subject status. No initiatives have so far been taken during the last one year to see their genuine grievances redressed. To keep the Coalition Government functional, the issue of the refugees is also being inhumanly ignored to their disadvantage.
AIIMS
Jammu is the worst sufferer in so far as medical facilities are concerned. AIIMS in Jammu is the only ray of hope for the poor people living in hilly districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua ,Samba and other far off places to receive specialised medical treatment. The Coalition Government has outright rejected the initial plan of setting up AIIMS in Jammu and the Central Government is helplessly watching the events.
Tawi Lake
Broadly speaking, Jammu has always remained neglected on account of tourism. No sincere efforts, during the last 65 years of independence have been made to improve the structure for tourism in Jammu Division. Mansar Lake and other pilgrimage sites are already in shabby condition. Artificial Tawi lake could give a good look to Jammu and make it an attraction for the locals and the tourists as well. The project that stood already approved by Central and State agencies has been surprisingly shelved on account of non-feasibility. The coalition of two political parties in the State was indeed a good step to lead the State to progress but the central leadership should see that the interests of Jammu region are not sacrificed.
Maharaj Krishen Kaul Naqaib
Durganagar, sector 1, Bantalab Road
Jammu
