Excelsior Correspondent
BISHNAH, Oct 16: Claiming that politico-developmental landscape in Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing huge transformation with the empowerment of the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs), former minister and Pradesh BJP vice president Surjeet Singh Slathia today called upon elected representatives to redouble their efforts in satiating the urges and aspirations of the rural population.
“J&K is at the threshold of a huge change with path breaking initiatives taken by the Government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent years,” Slathia said while speaking in a function at Arnia town this afternoon.
He said PRIs have a challenging role in translating the vision of the Prime Minister in reality on ground to achieve the objective of `Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas’. Notwithstanding the difficulties, the functionaries at the grassroots level democratic institutions have to rededicate themselves for transformation of the rural landscape, he added.
Responding to the various issues raised by Sarpanches, Slathia said these will be taken up with all concerned for early and appropriate redressal. He exhorted them to shoulder their responsibilities with sincerity of purpose and sense of commitment, as the people have a lot many expectations from them, he added.
The Pradesh vice president referred to the fast changing rural landscape, as a result of strengthening and empowering the Panchayat Raj Institutions and the Local Self Government, after the political developments of August 2019 which paved the way for implementing all the schemes in J&K, he said the Union Territory is witnessing discernible transformation in all the economic and developmental sectors with special thrust on encouraging investments. This is a key point for a place where industrial development has not been substantial which has largely impacted the growth and job generation.
He said the investment proposals of Rs 36,000 crore for the sectors ranging from tourism, health, automobile, steel, fabrication, warehousing etc have potential to create job opportunities for over two lakh professionals, educated unemployed, skilled and unskilled workforce in a period of time, both in rural and urban areas.
Slathia exuded confidence that the J&K people will become part of the country’s growth story by extending their support to the landmark initiatives being taken by the government for heralding a new era of development.
DDC Surekha Devi, BDC Kuldeep Raj, Jogeshwar Singh Jamwal, Darshan Singh- Sarpanch and others also spoke on the occasion.