‘All Central schemes to be applicable in J&K’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 8: Fully justifying the Narendra Modi led BJP Government’s decision on abrogation of controversial Articles 370 and 35-A, Union Minister of State in PMO with Independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh dared the opposition parties including Congress, National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to publicly oppose the Modi Government’s decision.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Dussehra function at Parade Ground here this evening, Dr Jitendra Singh made a scathing attack on the leaders of the opposition parties and said those who were earlier saying that State will be in flames, bombs will explode and there will be an earthquake in case the Centre dares to touch the Articles 35-A or 370 are not uttering a word now. He said the leaders of these parties should now clear their stand whether they are with Modi Government’s decision on abrogation of 370 and 35-A or they still stick to their old stand.
Dr Jitendra Singh accused these leaders of misleading and hoodwinking the public opinion for decades together on Article 370 for their vested political interests as the controversial Article except benefitting few dynasties of Kashmir has given nothing to common masses of the State. The decision is a revolutionary step of Modi Government which will change entire scenario in J and K and it (Jammu and Kashmir) will usher in an era of development, peace and prosperity now as all the Central Government schemes will get implemented after Article 370 was abrogated on August 5 and the State attains the UT status after October 31 this year.
He said the opposition parties have now realised that they can’t afford opposition to Modi Government decision as the people of entire country have fully endorsed it.
Dr Jitendra Singh, while refuting that there are restrictions or curfew like situation exists in Kashmir valley, said the markets are open at various places in Valley and in those areas where markets have not been opened yet, the vendors are selling the vegetables, fruits and other essential commodities.
He said the situation is rapidly limping to normalcy in Kashmir as common Kashmiri is fed up with the leaders who misled them over the years. He said the problem is to those elements who entered the Parliament and State Assembly with eight to 10 percent votes and have developed a vested interest in the turmoil.
The Union Minister in response to a question that there are restrictions in Valley retorted and said “where are the restrictions”? “The reporters are nowhere taking curfew passes in their hands but move freely”, he added.
He said there are few vested interests who want the situation should not change for better and are hell bent to disrupt it.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that change is not taking place in tourism sector alone in Valley, but horticulture, agriculture, handicrafts and other trades will also witness a tremendous change now.
On Pak Prime Minister, Imran Khan’s rhetoric asking people of PoK to launch march to LoC, Dr Jitendra Singh said “we should not waste our energy over PoK as Pakistan since 1947 could not reconcile with the historical fact that J&K including PoK is the part of India. Whosoever comes to power in Pakistan rakes up Kashmir issue as it is their compulsion, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said it has been a great diplomatic achievement of Narendra Modi Government that the countries which were earlier not with Indian view on terrorism have now taken around the India’s view on terror.
Earlier, addressing a function in connection with closing ceremony of week long SBI loan Mela at SBI Head Office Rail Head in the afternoon, Dr Jitendra Singh said with the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 and after October 31 when State of J and K will assume the shape of a UT all the Central Government schemes which could not be implemented in the State due to certain reasons will be available here.
He said the Central Government schemes whose optimum utilisation was not possible in J&K earlier due to certain reasons will be now fully implemented in J and K. In the aftermath of abrogation of Article 370, J&K will become part of ‘Global World and Global India’, he added.
He recalled that while taking the oath of office after becoming PM for the first time in May 2014, Narendra Modi announced that his Government is dedicated to the poor people of this country and soon after assuming office he came with various pro poor schemes, the Jan Dhan Yojna is one among them under which the poor people can open account in banks with zero balance.
He said the scheme was launched for the self esteem of poor. Earlier the people had to make rounds of banks in opening their account but after the launching of this scheme the banks had to go to people requesting them to open their accounts even with zero balance.
However, the poor people maintaining their self esteem deposited money in their new accounts and Rs 60,000 crore were collected in various bank accounts during the first year after the announcement of the scheme.
Dr Jitendra Singh also complimented the role of banks in implementation of schemes launched by Narendra Modi Government. He said the State Bank of India (SBI) played a lead role in this regard.
Speaking on the occasion, Ajitav Prashar, Deputy General Manger SBI said as per directives of DFS, Government of India, all public sector banks kick started the nationwide customer outreach initiative from October 3 and in Jammu it was held at the SBI Complex Administrative Office at Rail Head. The SBI was the convener of this initiative in Jammu Centre, he added.
He said all the major banks were present in the outreach progamme with their stalls for two days from October 3 to 4. However, SBI continued its loan sanctions in festive mode throughout Navratra and the camp concluded today.
Prashar said over 500 applications were received under loan mela and on concluding day a cultural programme was also held.
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