Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 1: At the opening session of the one-day National Seminar on “Border States Development, Security and Relations with Neighbouring Countries”, which began here this morning after a solemn homage and two-minute silence in the memory of Late Dr A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that border area people face diverse problems and went on to elaborate that just as India’s borders are very extensive, stretching from Jammu & Kashmir across the Himalayas and in the Northeast, similarly these borders are also quite diverse with different set of peculiarities, problems and constraints in different zones.
Referring to Jammu & Kashmir, where his own Lok Sabha Constituency of Kathua-Udhampur-Doda has a large stretch of border along side, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in this area one of the common complaints is that the farmers on the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) have not received adequate compensation in lieu of the land procured from them for defence purposes.
Similarly, on account of frequent cross-border firing, he said, there was a complaint that whenever people living in these areas are temporarily shifted to inner areas, they were not certain about where to take shelter, but after the formation of the present Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a large chunk of land in the vicinity of Hiranagar has been identified to provide five marlas each to every family for taking shelter during cross-border firing.
Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to the controversy regarding “Dogra Certificate”, which he said, was motivated by the fact that the youth in the “Kandi” areas were physically more capable of joining the defence forces but unfortunately, the Congress-led Government tampered with this provision causing injustice to the youth of this area.
Referring to Northeast, which is under his ministerial charge, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the problem is broadly two-fold, at the international border across Northeast and also at the inter-state border among the North Eastern States. These problems get further compounded because of the constraints of poor connectivity and improper utilization of funds provided by the Centre, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, even as the Centre has an exclusive Border Area Development Programme (BADP), the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has also given special impetus to uplift living conditions of the people living along the North Eastern border through programmes like Rs.125 crore “Organic Farming Mission” and exclusive road development schemes. Peace and development share a reciprocal relationship, he said and added that whenever there is a disruption in the peace in these States, it also adversely affects the pace of development.
Nevertheless, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that this is one of the best times happening for border States like Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, particularly because Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking a personal interest in the development of these States. In this context, he referred to “Jan-Dhan Yojana” which has achieved commendable targets even in the peripheral State of Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Mines, Narendra Singh Tomar referred to the border areas facing the twin challenge of external security as well as internal security. He referred to a number of initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to improve the border conditions with Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.
In his valedictory address, noted thinker and idealogue, Indresh Kumar categorically stated that there shall be no compromise on patriotism and warned that whenever there was a compromise on land or people, the result of it was that the nation was a loser. He said, the frontiers and borders of a country truly determine the strength of the nation.
Refuting the opinion that India’s borders are disputed, Indresh Kumar said, other countries tried to encroach and create dispute. He also called for the liberation of Tibet and warned against Chinese intrusions.
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