BK News
Srinagar, Jan 26: Asserting that roots of progress have been planted in Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Governor Manoj Kumar Sinha Tuesday said 2020 has been a year of unprecedented change in the Union Territory.
The Lt Governor was addressing the people on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day in Jammu on Tuesday.
While congratulating the people of J&K, he said on this day, the policymakers of the constitution sowed the seeds of justice, freedom, equality, social democracy and prosperity of brotherhood for all people, so that from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, the flag of development and glory of new India keeps flying high.
“Today on the occasion of Republic Day, every citizen should imbibe truth, non-violence, self-reliance of Mahatma Gandhi and the constitutional ideas of Baba Sahib Ambedkar,” he said.
With the Constitution of India in one hand and the Tricolour in the other, all the people of villages and towns, with dreams of progress in their eyes, have started building a new Jammu and Kashmir to fulfil their ambitions and those of the nation, the LG said.
Talking in detail about the COVID19 times, he said the horrific tragedy of the coronavirus shook the economy and social life badly for some time.
“But now the darkness has been dispelled. With the dawn of a new morning, we are taking forward the economy and the social welfare programs of Jammu and Kashmir. With the spirit of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina, Sarve Santu Niramaya”, we have started the coronavirus vaccination programme in Jammu and Kashmir giving top priority to public health workers,” he said. But was quick to add that the fight with coronavirus is not over yet.
SEHAT Scheme & Rs 1350-cr Economic Package
He said a new revolution has started with the Ayushman Bharat SEHAT Scheme in the field of Public Health. This health insurance scheme is the first of its kind in the country and the world, where under all the 1.30 crore citizens of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefited without any discrimination, he added.
September last year, the Government had provided an economic package of Rs 1350 crore for immediate relief to businesses and people associated with it who were suffering from the distress of coronavirus, he said. Both small and big businessmen and business establishments were given a record 5% interest subvention.
On the other hand, 50% relief was given in electricity and water bills for industrial and commercial consumers. The relief was provided to the people associated with transport, tourism, working-class and those connected with the construction sector. The results of timely decisions are visible today in villages, cities, farms, factories, hospitals and schools. In social welfare schemes too, more than 95% saturation has been achieved, he said.
J&K IDS2020
At the beginning of this year, we have announced a New Industrial Development Scheme 2021 (J&K IDS2020) amounting to Rs 28,400 crores to attract the country’s major industries and investment in Jammu and Kashmir and expand existing industries. This scheme, which will continue till 2037, will take the industrial investment to the block level so that the goal of equal, balanced and sustainable economic development can be achieved.
“Industrial policy has again lit the lamps of expectations and we are determined to provide employment opportunities directly or indirectly to 4.5 to 5 lakh people in the coming years,” the LG said.
New land laws have been introduced for agricultural and industrial development in the UT. “The old laws were a hindrance to the development and hence, have been abolished,” he said.
“In order to promote industries, a land bank is being created at a massive level and we are proud that two big and five small industrial estates will be completed by March 2021. Dismissing all rumours and apprehensions, I fully assure you the safety of every inch of your land.”
Today Jammu and Kashmir is a rising power, fast emerging as a national leader in technology, horticulture and new research, he said.
IT Parks, Call Centres in all districts
Two IT towers will soon be established to boost the IT industry. Along with this, IT Parks and Call Centres shall be established in all the twenty districts of the Union Territory.
As a result of the tireless efforts of the Government on various fronts, the fast booming tourism industry has become a symbol of prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. “The number of tourists coming here has surpassed many major tourist places in the country. We are also striving to include the world-famous Mughal Gardens of Kashmir in UNESCO world heritage sites.”
To give wings to the huge potential of the tourism industry, tourism promotion schemes will be continued for the next fifteen years. The Government is working on the conservation and development of major tourist destinations of Jammu division like Mansar, Surinsar, Bagh-e-Bahu; and Doodhpathri, Bangus Valley etc in Kashmir Division, which so far have remained neglected.
On the grand festival of India’s 75th Independence Day, the state-of-the-art conservation and restoration process of Mubarak Mandi in Jammu and Shergarhi in Kashmir would be completed.
Uninterrupted electricity
Access to roads, electricity and water are the basic necessities and rights essential for civilized life, he said.
“These basic facilities have not been provided in the last 70 years, but shall be provided without any interruption in the next three years,” he said.
To make 20-22 hours electricity available in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir, like in other states, the Government has given the green signal to an investment of Rs 52,821 crores in the hydroelectric power sector, he said. “We will make Jammu and Kashmir self-reliant in the field of electricity for the first time by generating as much electricity in 4 years as was created in the last seventy years,” the LG said Along, with this, new projects are also being set up to strengthen the transmission and distribution infrastructure. Recently on the 20th of January, under the chairmanship of Honourable Prime Minister, the Union Cabinet has given the green signal to the Rs 5282 crores Ratle Power Project. This 850 MW Project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar will be completed in the next 5 years.
He said implementation of the Prime Minister’s Development Package has gained tremendous momentum. Out of 54 projects, 20 important projects have been completed and 16 others will be completed by March 2021. Eight other projects will be completed by December 2021.
He said the Katra-Banihal Section of the Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line will be completed by August 2022 connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
“You will soon see a Metro Rail running on 23 km long route in Jammu, and 25 km in Srinagar. Works are being carried out at a fast pace in AMRUT Mission and Smart City Mission to rejuvenate the cities. Keeping in view the basic amenities like sewer, waste management, rainwater harvesting, transport, parks for the children, good road and greenery all around, work is being done in all the cities of Jammu and Kashmir in mission mode.
Financial aid is being provided to the identified street vendors of the cities affected by corona.
