Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 6: Union Minister in PMO with independent Charge of North East States, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the State Government should utilize the Central package on priority basis keeping the need and sufferings of the people in view.
Speaking at a meet the press programme organized by Press Club Jammu this morning, Dr Singh said besides relief to flood victims of the State, the priority before the Government should be paying of compensation to victims of shelling from across the border, terrorism victims and enhancing the honorarium of VDCs and SPOs as has been already sanctioned by Union Government.
“Our priorities should not get mixed and we should utilize the package on he basis of the need and sufferings of the people’’, he said, adding BJP which strongly believes in the ideology of Deen Dayal Upadyay solidly stands for serving the last man in the queue.
Dr Singh said State is likely to receive a big package soon and it should be utilized for cross border firing victims, militancy victims besides the flood hit people of the State.
He said instead of spending the money on luxurious cars of worth Rs 11 crore for the legislators as has been reported “I think the benefit of democracy and public welfare should reach to the last man in the queue’’.
He said the welfare schemes should go poorest of the poor so that democracy flourishes in the country and the State. This is the main mantra of Modi Government , he added .
On the controversy over Indo –Pak talks in view of Pakistan’s continuous cease fire violations, Dr Singh said that Modi Government has never backed out from talks but we are the first who took initiative in this regard but at the same time there will be no compromise on cross border terrorism.
On the recent statement of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti who blamed Centre for “youths turning towards guns and stones in Kashmir valley’’, he said that issues related to national interest should not be discussed in public.
On the non inclusion of J&K into list of smart cities, Dr Singh said that all States approached the concerned Ministry and the process is being followed. However, the documents from J&K have not been received as yet and more announcements are likely to be made in which the J&K will also come.
Dr Singh also strongly advocated for grant of reservation to the people residing along IB on the pattern of LoC and said that there should be no discrimination in this regard. He said BJP is for removal of regional discrimination and it is a pity that there exists discrimination within regions.
Reiterating his charges on Congress for cancellation of Dogra certificate, he said the J&K Government should bring a legislation to revive the Dogra certificate and issue the same to the youth who are willing to join the armed forces. The Dogra certificates were not given on the region or religion basis but on scientific basis and they should be restored in its original form.
He said 80 kanals of land has been identified for border migrants in Hiranagar and the five marlas will be soon allotted to border people as assured to him by DC Kathua yesterday.
He said over Rs 300 crore have been kept for development of Kathua district which was 152 crore last time.
The Union Minister also assured the Press Club members that the construction of high tech media centre in Jammu which besides an auditorium, will have a conference hall, video conferencing facility and coffee house will be looked into on priority basis.
Earlier, president of Press Club Mr Ashwani projected the demand before the Union Minister. Others who spoke on the occasion included Zorawar Singh Jamwal and Dinesh Manhotra.
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