Developmental outreach
Sir,
Much hyped Central govt’s public outreach programme in our UT during the last fortnight of January 2020 was to be an amazing and a promising exercise. Ironically it has fallen a little short of expectations. I state this with my own experience and encounters with the visiting ministers. The idea behind was mass contact and intimate public interaction. Sorry to say that public interaction was rather selective. At many places it was more of speeches, inaugurations and photo sessions. Due to prevailing inclement weather, the biting chill and the delayed flights, some ministers reached late and rushed through their itineraries ignoring prime minister’s directions to intimately interact with the rural population. It is rare that a Union Minister meets public intimately. Hence social workers such as me and the common people were enthusiastic to talk to the visiting central ministers and put across some important issues related to Jammu. Our problems are rarely listened to by our own ministers unless one is their dedicated supporter/worker. A minister in our erstwhile State was the minister of his own constituency. That is why there was such euphoria. Long waits and no interaction at some places caused disappointment. At the same time impromptu visits and close interaction at various places such as at Lal Chowk Srinagar was amazing.
Notwithstanding mixed feelings, this initiative is unique and one such in my life time. So long as Article 370 was there, centre-state relations/tensions, regional biases, rigged elections, corruption, inter and intra-regional standoff, communal tensions and militancy remained at the center stage of all political and economic developments. It is only after it’s abrogation that we hear of peace and development. 34 ministers who criss-crossed our UT and talked about development. Since more ministers visited Jammu, till now neglected Jammu will get development. Hopefully Kandi areas will get water soon and the lot of farmers improve. For Jammu, irrigation, agriculture, horticulture, tourism, health, infrastructure, roadways, railways, metros, airports and industry need special attention because of past 70 years neglect. Summarising the event, I will state that we have dreams. Our dreams should come true after this exercise, hopefully.
Th. K P Singh,
Chairman DSS
Kissan Cell
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