Avtar Bhat
JAMMU/KATHUA, Nov 20: Lambasting Congress and other opposition parties for their role on demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination currency notes, Union Minister in PMO with Independent Charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the decision will not only break the backbone of terrorism in Kashmir valley but also that of ULFA and other terrorist groups in North Eastern States and Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and other States.
Talking to reporters on his way to a function in Nagri area of Kathua district at Jammu airport this morning, the Union Minister said the stone pelting has come down in Valley as this was more than a mercenary terrorism going on in Kashmir.
Terming the opposition charges that BJP was eyeing the elections in UP and other States as self contradictory, Dr Singh said “if they think that we have taken the decision keeping an eye on elections that means they are conceding the people are happy with the decision”.
Making a scathing attack on Congress, he said the party which failed to check black money in last 70 years of independence is now trapped in its own dilemma. They first asked for debate without realizing that the Government will be happier to explain the people about the decision and soon they realized it did not work so they are finding means to back out of it and are indulging in disruptive politics, he added.
Dr Singh said “first they wanted us to debate on the issue and it was an opportunity to us to explain the people how this process is going to benefit the people in longer run and now they are looking a way in indulging in disruptive politics to avoid any debate on this issue which will only expose them”.
On the statement of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, he should have himself tendered an apology for making such statement that hurt the sentiments of the people. “In public life one should avoid such statements and should not feel embarrassed in taking that back”, he added.
On charges of Congress that Government was twisting Azad’s statement to divert from real issues, Dr Singh accused Congress of taking trivial view of the whole issue. “They are used to this kind of mindset so they are trying to divert the entire issue”, he added.
Dr Singh said that making any statement which demeans the sacrifice of the armed forces of the country was a cardinal sin which cannot be repented.
“Any direct or indirect comment or statement that demeans the sacrifice of our soldiers or insults their services is a sin, a cardinal sin which cannot be repented,” he said, reacting to Azad’s remarks drawing a comparison between the Uri terror attack casualties and the deaths after demonetisation.
Singh said it was because of these brave soldiers that the people in the country were in a position to begin their day as per their wishes.
On the increase in the incidents of ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side in which several people have lost their lives, Singh said it was for the first time in past several years that Pakistan was getting a befitting reply.
“People living in border areas agree that the retaliatory action which is happening this time has never been seen before and that is why the morale of the people is high,” he said.
He said the morale of the Army and paramilitary forces was high which has boosted the morale of the entire country.
Earlier addressing a public meeting, Singh said the demonetisation move will enrich rural economy of India and actually benefit those sections of society who were being held to ransom as a result of black money hoarding by a few.
Later addressing a mammoth public rally at Jakh barh near Kathua in the afternoon, Dr Singh explained in detail to the people the benefits of the demonetization decision and said that 90 percent of the countrymen are with Modi’s decision and solidly support it.
When the gathering was asked whether they support the decision or not entire crowd raised their both hands to show solidarity with PM’s decision.
Dr Singh informed the people about the role played by the opposition and said that they are uncomfortable with the decision as it has shaken their roots so they are regularly putting out different arguments to challenge it and one of the arguments put across is , how will it benefit larger population of India living in rural and semi rural areas or the larger number of common citizens queuing up for exchange of currency notes without knowing that it will force the people to surrender the surplus money earned through illegitimate means to the banks which will be utilized for public welfare by the Government.
Terming the decision of Narendra Modi to change the currency notes as historic, Dr Singh said the decision was not taken by any Government for past 70 years because they had their vested interests deeply entrenched in black money and corruption.
“Narendra Modi is the only Prime Minister who could take this decision because of his impeccable honesty, sincerity and courage of conviction, with no vested interest. The entire exercise is motivated keeping in mind the interest of the poorest of the poor and therefore, ultimately those who had to undergo initial inconvenience during the transition would be the actual beneficiaries, he added.
Complimenting the people of Kathua for always being the torch bearers of every new development activity in the State in the last two years, Dr Singh said the work on Nagri to Palli Morh road will be expedited and the BRO authorities have accordingly been instructed. He also assured the local population that Keediyan -Gandiyal bridge road to link Nagri- Palli road via Old Samba Kathua road will also be taken up by BRO.
Reiterating his commitment to make Kathua a model district of the State, Dr Singh said many steps have been taken in this regard already which included taking up in hand construction of various bridges including Keediyan Gandiyal bridge, Biotech Park, sanctioning of engineering College for Kathua, seed production unit, dedication of Atal Sethu to the nation etc.
He said besides many more projects including Bani -Bhaderwah tunnel is in pipe line. The foundation stone of AIIMS and Medical College in Samba and Kathua districts will also be laid in near future, he added.
Prem Nath Dogra district president BJP also addressed the rally and highlighted the various developmental projects taken up in hand in the district during last two years.
Other BJP leaders who were present on the occasion included Sanjeev Sharma, Raghunandan (Bablu), Gopal Mahajan, Janak Bharti and BJYM National Executive Member Bharat Sharma.
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