J&K legislators having doubts of being Indian should resign: Dr Jitendra

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addressing a gathering of locals in Kathua on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addressing a gathering of locals in Kathua on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Nishikant Khajuria
KATHUA, Dec 27: Reminding that Indian nationality is pre-requisite for being State Subject of Jammu and Kashmir as per Constitution of J&K as well as the country, Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the legislators who have doubts of being Indian should immediately resign.
“Only and only an Indian citizen can be a State Subject of Jammu and Kashmir and those who have taken oath under Constitution of the country but at the same time have doubt about their being Indian, should immediately resign as legislators and make way for those who are ready to uphold sovereignty of Indian Constitution,” he said while addressing a gathering at Kumri Kathar village, here today after laying the foundation stone of Kathua to Boura road under PMGSY.
Without naming National Conference or any other party, Dr Jitendra said that a fashion of trying to ascertain separate identity from India was trending in Kashmir centric State polity and even those who ruled the State for decades by reiterating their commitment to Indian Constitution, were also suddenly voicing separatist sentiments after coming out of power.
“ There should be no confusion that we are Indians first and let it be very clear that BJP will not allow such double speaking elements whether on the issue of State Subject or Constitutional position with respect to J&K ,” he said amidst applause and slogan shouting of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ by the strong gathering of locals.
The Union Minister lamented that some Jammu based politicians too had joined hands with such forces in sabotaging the national cause by maintaining criminal silence over such anti-national utterances and creating confusion over any positive move. In this regard, he drew attention towards Rs 2000 crore Central package for PoK refugees and purported criticism of the same by Jammu based opposition parties who termed it ‘insufficient’.
“Despite being in power at Centre as well as in the State for the last several decades, these parties did nothing for the PoJK refugees and when the BJP-led Government has tried to redeem anomaly of past, attempts are being made to mislead despite the clarification by even Prime Minister and Union Home Minister that this package was not the final settlement,” he said and classified these non-BJP political activists in J&K into two categories; one set of politicians who remained in power for decades but did nothing for Jammu and now feeling uncomfortable as how the Modi Government managed to do while other class of activists was that of those who tried to sustain by catering to a certain Kashmir centric sentiment.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, who represents Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha, laid foundation stone of PMGSY road from Block Boundary Kathua to Boura.
The 14.20 Kms road link will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 16.92 crore connecting 13 habitations and benefitting around 3000 souls of the area.
While highlighting various developments works, initiated by him in the constituency, Dr Singh said a record amount of Rs 850 crores has been sanctioned by the Central Government during the last two and half years for construction of roads and bridges in Kathua district. “This is not only the record highest amount so far sanctioned for Kathua roads in the last several decades but is also possibly the highest among the various districts of J&K State,” he said and added that a whopping Rs 3600 crore has been sanctioned for 10th stage of the PMGSY scheme and a total of 73 roads will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 405 crore in district Kathua only.
The Minister said Keeriyan Gandyal Bridge, Juthana Bridge, Pandori Bridge, widening of Dayala Chack and Basohli roads are key projects, which will ease out big populace from connectivity hardships. He reiterated that works for constructing bunkers for border residents as well as provision for 5 Marlas of land for border families is in process and every endeavour shall be made to protect the lives of border residents. He further added that 81 kanals of land has been identified for 5 marla plots in tehsil Hiranagar to provide land to those border families who use to migrate during border firing/shelling. He said ex-gratia for border firing victims has been increased to Rs 5 lakh at par with militancy affected victims.
Earlier, MLA Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia also spoke on the occasion and gave all credit to Dr Jitendra Singh for initiating various development projects in the district. He said landmark decision like setting up Medical and Engineering College in the district will have long term consequences on education profile of the district.
DDC Kathua Ramesh Kumar, SSP Kathua Pawan Parihar, Chief Engineer PMGSY P L Bhushan, ASP Kathua Khalil Poswal and other district and sectoral officers were present on the occasion.

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