Binoo Joshi
Jammu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reminded the whole nation , and in particular to the peoples of the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, that Centre’s commitment to take the two UTs on a new path is unshakeable , connoting that the August 5, 2019 decisions had a roadmap of real political empowerment with simultaneous people-friendly development to transform the landscape from Lakhanpur to Leh.
Lakahanpur is gateway of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh represents the extreme boundary of the country. This encompasses the territories and populations of the two UTs, which have appeared on the Indian map, in a sequel to August 5 decisions – abrogation of Article 370 that distinguished politically and emotionally the erstwhile state and the people from the rest of the country, and split of the state into two UTs, thus meeting the long pending demand of the people of Ladakh.
This vision, the parts of which have already assumed shape of reality, have been vowed in special edition on J&K and Ladakh in New India Samachar ( August 1-15), and these forward-looking and holding the unshakeable promise of bright future for the land and the people have been reiterated by Prime Minister to serve a reminder to the people that the Centre is aware of its promises and commitments made on August 5 three years ago.
“ For us , the decision of August 5 is firm and the determination to take Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on a new path is also unshakable. On August 5, the entire Constitution of India came into force in Jammu and Kashmir, the entire law came into force, and we removed the biggest obstacle in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, “ Prime Minister has been quoted in the document , titled ,” Three years of Freedom from Article 370 : Jammu-Kashmir, and Ladakh : A new Dawn of Development .”
The document has reflected on various moves that have changed the pace of development in the two UTs and transformed the idea of peace into reality . Given the strategic importance of Jammu and Kashmir, the major focus is on this particular UT because of the historical, political and economic dimensions . It was J&K which was dragging the things, so changes it has experienced in the past three years deserved more attention .
The document read : “ A new era of development has started in Jammu and Kashmir. and it is fast moving on the path of development and peace,” and as is natural all this has been traced to the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A,” Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “ there would be a fresh impetus to employment and prosperity in the area. Three years ago, from August 5, an ecosystem of development was promoted in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, and a lot of employment opportunities were created. 7 new medical colleges and 5 new nursing colleges have been sanctioned in J&K and the number of medical seats has almost doubled from 500. Several hydroelectric projects have been commissioned in Jammu and Kashmir, which will benefit the industries as well as increase revenue. With the development of agriculture, the income of the people here will increase which will boost the economy. One Nation, One Ration Card scheme has been implemented by Jammu and Kashmir, while Ujjwala, DBT, Saubhagya, and many other schemes have been implemented 100 percent in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi has made an ambitious plan, which envisages providing clean drinking water
water to every household by 2024, and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is going to fulfill this target by August 15, 2022. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state or UT in India where every person has got the benefit of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban and Rural, houses are being provided to the people. “
“To understand what has changed after the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, one has to look at the pace of development and the standard of living of the people in the last 70 years. In 70 years, about 2,20,000 families of Jammu and Kashmir could not get even basic facilities like houses, toilets, electricity, and water, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided all these necessary facilities to the people in 2-3 years. Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir has reached every village. The hill people never used to get the benefit of reservation, but now they are getting it. Electricity is reaching every house in Jammu and Kashmir. While preparing the plan of industrial development in J&K, care has been taken that those who set up industries in less developed areas should get more benefits, so that there can be an all-inclusive and all-around development of Jammu and Kashmir.”
J&K now also has a UT cadre, which will ensure the availability of adequate manpower. Also, Hindi and English have been given official language status along with Urdu and Dogri, which will make work easier. The elections to the three-tier panchayat system in Jammu and Kashmir were conducted peacefully. Today everyone is exercising their rights. These elections marked a new beginning of development in Jammu and Kashmir. Due to improved peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir, the tourists’ footfall has increased. The tourism industry is attaining its rightful place. Those places are being identified in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh which can become top tourism destinations. 137 mountain peaks of the Himalayas have been opened for foreign tourists, out of which 15 peaks are from Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The plan for the first Central University with a Buddhist Studies Center in Ladakh is getting ready . The long pending demand for Union Territory status to Ladakh has also been fulfilled and Ladakh is on the path of progress. Three years ago on 5th August, the Central Government took a very far-sighted decision and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new era of development started in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley. Its wide impact will be seen even better by the year 2024. Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “Kashmir resides in the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whenever he talks, he says whether all the schemes are reaching people.
