J&K witnesses unprecedented development post abrogation of special status: Puri

‘More progress in 9 years of Modi Govt than 70 years’

Rahul conducting anti-national programmes abroad

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, June 5: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri today said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed unprecedented development during last three years of abrogation of special status.
Puri, who is on a two days visit of Jammu region, met veterans of Jan Sangh, Praja Parishad and BJP at the BJP headquarters and individuals as part of party’s ‘Jan Samparak Abhiyan’.
Speaking to veterans, he said following August 5, 2019 decisions taken by the Narendra Modi Government, Jammu and Kashmir has been touching new heights of development and is marching towards peace and prosperity.
“Nine years of Modi Government has done which previous Governments couldn’t do for 70 years,” the Union Minister said.
The veterans of Jan Sangh, Praja Parishad and BJP besides individuals shared their experience on Jammu and Kashmir with Hardeep Singh Puri.
Tomorrow, Puri accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will attend Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) function at Majeen Sidhra on the outskirts of Jammu. Puri and Sinha will lay foundation stone of Yatri Niwas and Disaster Management Centre of the SASB.
Senior BJP leader Devender K Manyal, former Minister accompanied Hardeep Puri along with other party leaders during gathering of the veterans.
The veterans were all praise for Narendra Modi Government for scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution of India granting special status to the State saying it was a dream that came true in their life tem.
They told Puri that this was their dream since 1953.
In a brief chat with media persons, Puri hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying it is disheartening to see him conducting “anti-national” programmes and engaging in “irresponsible” discourse at a time the entire country is united in grief after the deadly train accident in Odisha.
Puri said the Government was working tirelessly and within 51 hours of the accident, the Railway lines were restored and arrangements were also made to aid the injured.
“The Prime Minister visited the accident site swiftly and three Central Ministers were there as well, he said.
“Our nation mourns every single loss of life…. It saddens me that while we are working tirelessly, some are making irresponsible statements without considering the facts,” Puri said.
Targeting Gandhi, Puri said, “When the entire country stands united in grief and is focusing on supporting one another, it is disheartening to witness him conducting anti-national programmes and engaging in irresponsible discourse.”
“We need an opposition that acts responsibly and focuses on issues that affect the nation as a whole,” the Minister said, adding it is time to set aside differences and work together for the country’s betterment.
On Gandhi’s remarks on the condition of minorities in India, Puri reminded him of referred to some “tragic incidents that have scarred our history”.
“I remind him of the Neelie massacre in Assam…Which claimed the lives of 2,000 people…And in 1984, we lost 3,000 of our Sikh brothers in the horrific events that unfolded. It is important to remember these incidents before making claims about the present,” Singh said.
An official statement said:-
Dr. Hardeep Singh Puri held discussions with veteran activists regarding the organizational and political activities of the party in the past and participation of the cadre in various agitations, protests etc. He said that the BJP has a cadre which is totally committed to work for the nation and its interests.
He said “we are part of the ancestors who made supreme sacrifices while serving in the BJP.” Regarding the party’s ongoing Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyaan Dr. Puri said that there was a time when the BJP had two MPs, but with the passage of time, the party progressed and achieved success by securing a large number of seats to form the Government.
“The BJP had been part of the coalition party for the first time; later, it formed a Government on its own under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. From 2014 onward, the BJP has been in power at the Centre under Prime Minister Modi. This success has been possible only because of the pro-nation, pro-development and pro-poor policies and programs of the party,” he added.
“PM Modi has launched a record number of welfare schemes and initiated mega development projects” Puri said and added that India is marching fast in all spheres and that before 2047, our country will be a developed nation.
He cited various projects and schemes launched during the nine years and said that Modi’s work is not only appreciated in India but globally as well. He also referred to various historical developments and cited wrong policies of non-BJP Governments in the past which harmed the interests of the nation and created obstacles in the peaceful and dignified living of a common citizen.
Like other parts of the country, J&K too has been benefited by every scheme related to health, poverty, farming, education etc., he said.
Jugal Kishore Sharma spoke on the plight of the people before 2014 and the massive corruption, dynastic politics and said that Narendra Modi, on becoming PM has provided a Government, which is totally dedicated for poor and needy. The pace of development works is being accelerated and every project is completed in time now, he added.
National Secretary Dr. Narender Singh, J&K BJP General Secretary Dr. Devinder Manyal, former Minister Priya Sethi and district President Pramod Kapahi shared the dais with the visiting Minister.
J&K BJP General Secretary (Org.) Ashok Koul, former Dy. Mayor Purnima Sharma, senior leaders Chander Mohan Sharma, Rajeev Charak, Sakina Bano, Subhash Gupta, Shiv Kumar Gupta, YV Sharma and others were amongst the prominent present in the meeting.
Rajesh Gupta, district general secretary conducted the proceedings of meeting.
Later, Puri visited Bone & Joint and Cancer Hospitals in Jammu under Vikas Tirath campaign of BJP. He also visited the residences of prominent retired senior officers and sports figures during his visit to the city of temples under Sampark Se Samarthan campaign of BJP.
The Union Minister took round of the Bone & Joint and Cancer Hospitals, inspected various facilities being provided to the ailing people and also interacted with the health care staff.
GMC Jammu Principal Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma gave a detailed briefing to the Union Minister on working of hospitals under the GMC Jammu.