‘Nation proud of Ladakhis’ patriotism’
Avtar Bhat
LEH, Oct 9: Maintaining that Narendra Modi led Government is fully committed for holistic development of Leh and Kargil areas of Ladakh region, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said abolition of the Articles 370 and 35 A has demolished the all the barriers which had obstructed the development process in region for decades together.
Terming Ladakh as the ‘Pride of India’, he said the entire country is proud of patriotism of the people of Leh and Kargil and people of country hold them in high esteem.
Addressing public meetings at Chushot Yokma, Chushot Shama, Chushot Gongma, Phyang Chushgo and Phyang Thangnak in Leh-Ladakh for the upcoming elections to the Hill Council, Naqvi said the Modi Government was committed to protecting this ‘Pride of India’ and ensure prosperity of the people of Leh-Ladakh.
Naqvi said that scrapping of Article 370 in 2019 has removed the political and legal obstacles in development of Jammu-Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh and the UTs are witnessing significant development along with other States of the country now. He said with the August 5 and October 31 decisions of last year, Ladakh has become a separate UT which was earlier the part of J&K State and the region remained deprived of developmental process for decades together.
But with the historic decision of Modi Government last year all barriers and impediments in the path of progress and development of the region have been removed and Ladakh is now on the path of prosperity, he added.
Complimenting the people of Ladakh for their valour and dedication to nation, he said it is with the dedication that no one dares to see towards our country with a bad intent.
The people of Ladakh are guarding the borders along with Armed forces and their such commitment to the national cause has been an encouragement for the security forces who too feel proud of the Ladakhis, the Minister added.
Exuding confidence that BJP will get majority in the upcoming elections to Hill Development Council, Leh, Naqvi said his party is committed to protect the honour and dignity of the people of the Himalyan region.
During his public meetings, attended by people from far flung areas of Leh-Ladakh, Naqvi informed them in detail about the benefits of Leh-Ladakh becoming the Union Territory.
He said that after abolition of the Article 370, rights of the people of Leh-Kargil regarding trade, agriculture, employment, culture, land and property etc have been provided absolute Constitutional protection.
Naqvi said that massive development activities have started taking place after Ladakh was made the Union Territory. The people especially the youth of the region have been provided ample opportunities for better education and employment.
The senior BJP leader said now, Leh and Kargil districts of the region are also getting benefits of various socio-economic-educational empowerment schemes of the Central Government of which they were deprived earlier.
He said that recently Prime Minister, Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the world’s longest Highway tunnel ‘Atal Tunnel’ in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
“The 9.02 Km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti Valley throughout the year. Earlier, the Valley was cut off for about six months each year owing to heavy snowfall. The tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Kms between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours.
“Atal Tunnel is going to be a lifeline for a large part of Himachal Pradesh as well as the Union Territory of Leh-Ladakh and would reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by 3-4 hours,” he said.
Naqvi said that now parts of Himachal Pradesh and Leh-Ladakh will always be connected with the rest of the country and would witness speedier economic progress.
“Farmers, horticulturalists and youth will now also have easy access to the capital of Delhi and other markets. Such border connectivity projects will also aid the security forces in ensuring regular supplies to them and also in their patrolling,” he maintained.
The Minority Affairs Minister said that after abolition of the Article 370, more than 75,000 youths of Jammu-Kashmir, and Ladakh have been provided employment oriented skill development training; new colleges are being set up; hundreds of seats have been added in existing colleges; lakhs of students have been provided various scholarships; one new Medical College, one Engineering College and National Skill Training Institute is being established in Ladakh.
He said more than Rs 500 crore have been allotted for construction labourers, Pitthuwalas, street vendors and women for different economic activities; steps have been taken to make Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh an ‘investment hub’.
He said that “the Central Government has initiated several administrative, land and reservation reforms. 164 laws of Jammu-Kashmir have been scrapped and 138 laws amended while 890 laws of the Central Government have been implemented. Amendment in reservation in Government jobs has ensured that the maximum people are getting benefits.”
Naqvi said that about Rs 6,000 crore have been given for other various development schemes in Ladakh. Leh has been connected with National Power Grid and Srinagar-Leh transmission line has been started, he added.
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