‘Some people provoking security forces to fuel protests’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that some people aren’t happy with the peaceful atmosphere, tourism boom and round the clock development in Jammu and Kashmir and are making continuous efforts to provoke security forces in a bid to fuel street protests.
Speaking at the launch of District Export Plans at SKICC in Srinagar, Sinha said that while majority of people are heaving a sigh of relief in Kashmir but some people aren’t happy with the prevailing peaceful atmosphere, tourism boom and development taking place.
Without naming anyone, the LG said: “These people make continuous efforts to provoke security forces to commit a mistake that can set base for street protests. However, our security forces are alert and working hard to cement the peace and foil all anti-peace plans.”
“Development can only take place when there is peace. This has to be kept in mind. There is no place in the world which has progressed when there was no peace,” he said.
“The society has to come forward. The security forces are working hard round-the-clock for the safety and security of the common people,” he said.
Sinha said the administration is working on a policy that innocent people will not be touched but the guilty will not be spared.
The LG said the steps being taken by the Government with regards to development, were for the future of the people and their children. “So, come forward in making a new J-K, and there is a need to create awareness in the society that unless there is peace, we will not be able to achieve development. It is not just the responsibility of the Government, but of the citizens here as well,” he said.
Sinha said that J&K is on the path of huge development and in the years ahead the region will emerge as a model place in the country in terms of development and investment. “Kashmir will also host the G-20 summit which will give a big push to J&K’s investments,” he added.
The LG told the gathering that every district is blessed to have local products with potential to go global. “Nine GI tagged products, more than 50 export potential products have been identified and institutional mechanisms are created in all the districts to provide support for export promotion,” he said.
“J&K has emerged as a top performer, reaching 3rd position among UT’s in the Export Promotion index and improving 13 positions in overall ranking. With its rapidly growing economy, expanding market and industrial base, J&K is determined to construct a strong edifice of export ecosystem,” he said.
Stressing that the dream of economic growth, aspirations of youth can be fulfilled only in conditions of peace, the LG said, in pursuit of development objectives, society must play a vital supportive role to foil the efforts of adversaries and isolate anti-social elements.
“The administration is not only aiming to take J&K export from Rs. 1845 crore to Rs.5000 crore, but it is also resolute to build a better future for our youth and a society free of inequality and unemployment. We therefore, seek to make every citizen an equal partner in the development journey,” Sinha said.
The LG said that the historic step is in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who in 2019 gave a clarion call for recognizing the uniqueness and diversity of all 773 districts of the country, and exploiting them properly so that each district can develop itself into an export hub and establish its identity in the global market.
On the occasion, J&K Trade Promotion Organization signed MoUs with Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC), Swasti (Walmart Vriddhi) and Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council, for developing woollen segment in J&K, Capacity building of MSMEs and promotion of electronics & computer software business in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State, Commerce & Industry, termed the occasion as an important step towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of making the districts of J&K strong economic hubs, besides giving further impetus to the exports from the Jammu and Kashmir region.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is committed to strengthen each district of Jammu and Kashmir to optimally leverage their potential through District Export Hubs. The District Export Plans of the UT of J&K shall provide single source access to all stakeholders, industry and sector-wise exports data, along with user-friendly detailed data analysis, added the Union MoS.
Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, J&K underscored the need for making constant improvements to meet the modern day requirements, besides giving a dedicated focus on market expansion, scaling product range and new designs.
Santosh Sarangi, Director General of Foreign Trade spoke on the broad contours of the export scenario in J&K. He also highlighted various segments of the District as Export Hubs scheme including financial assistance, monitoring mechanism, proposed outcome, workflow etc.
Dr Devansh Yadav, Managing Director, JKTPO, in his welcome address, gave a detailed briefing on the aims and objectives of District Export Plans.
The Lt Governor and the Union MoS also conferred Export Awards to Best performing Export Houses of J&K.
Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Exporters, Entrepreneurs, senior officials from UT and the Central Government, besides various stakeholders were present on the occasion.
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