‘Opposing UT status is dual character’
J&K Bank clocks Rs 991 cr profit
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Oct 31: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory and everybody must accept this reality. He said those who took oath under Indian Constitution are opposing UT status of J&K which reflects their dual character.
Sinha told reporters after addressing the UT Foundation Day at SKICC here, that J&K is a UT and everybody must accept this reality.
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“J&K is now a Union Territory, and everyone should accept that. The Prime Minister and Home Minister announced in Parliament that delimitation will be completed first, followed by elections and, in due time, Statehood. Remember, when the PM visited on International Yoga Day, he said that Assembly elections would be held soon and then Statehood would be restored,” he said.
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Taking a dig at various political parties for boycotting UT day celebrations, the LG said when J&K would be State again, the day would be celebrated as Statehood Day.
“When Statehood is restored, we will celebrate Statehood Day; what is the big deal? I am confident that the Election Commission will soon begin preparations for the Panchayat elections, which were delayed for various reasons, as they are crucial for the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Sinha while congratulating people of J&K on the UT day said: “We are celebrating this day every year. It has been five years since Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory, and I would like to congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Over the last five years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed peace, progress and development. We have reached milestones here that have brought satisfaction to the people. Recently, the people participated in elections and chose their Government, and I am hopeful the elected Government will work according to the people’s wishes.”
The LG appealed everyone as with peace comes development, and no one should disturb the peace here.
The LG said in an obvious reference to NC leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Cabinet ministers, said: “Those who took oath under Indian constitution are opposing UT status of J&K. This reflects their dual character.”
Earlier, addressing the UT Foundation Day gathering, the LG said that under the leadership of PM Modi, J&K touched new heights of developments and peace. “The development is visible from roads to train to hospitals to Medical Colleges.
He said that J&K Bank was pulled out from the debt and today this bank is a profit earning institution that gives loans to everyone in need. Today it is a people’s bank. The progress bank is the example of a change J&K has gone through in the past few years,” the LG said.
In 2019-20, the bank had reported loss of Rs. 1139 cr. It reported a profit of Rs. 1700 cr in the year 2023-24. In current FY, J&K Bank clocked Rs. 991 cr in profit, he added.
Sinha said in the past five years, J&K marched ahead with peace and prosperity. “Lal Chowk’s identity was changed and today it is known for something else. Pulwama Chowk witnesses anti-terrorist protests and candle light marches,” he said.
He said post 2019, the air has changed. “In the past few days, some terrorist incidents took place where brave men lost their lives. But I believe that J&K police and other forces will give the perpetrators a befitting reply,” he said. “Efforts are on to root out the terrorism from J&K. Time is not far when J&K would be free from terror.”
He said peace is a must for J&K’s progress. Without naming anyone, he said some people are trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere. “I request them, refrain from provocative statements as it was after huge efforts that J&K is a peaceful place today,” he said.
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