‘None can stop prosperity of J&K’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 29: Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai today met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar and was reported to have discussed security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir as well as borders with Pakistan especially in the wake of major infiltration attempt in Uri sector in Baramulla district which was successfully foiled by the Army.
Rai and Sinha had half an hour long meeting.
Rai is in Kashmir as part of Central Government’s Public Outreach Programme by 70 Union Ministers to the Union Territory for eight weeks.
“Various issued pertaining to security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir including anti-militancy operations, law and order situation and anti-infiltration Grid were reportedly discussed,” sources said, adding Central Government has appreciated the J&K Government handling of security scenario in the UT mainly in the Valley.
Rai was later taken in a helicopter to frontier district of Kupwara, where a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, a resident of Punjab, Pakistan, was allowed to surrender by the Army during an encounter near the Line of Control (LoC) on September 26.
Another militant, also a Pak resident, was killed in the encounter among others.
The Union Minister was briefed by senior Army officers about the overall security situation on the LoC, where Pakistan is making desperate attempt to send trained and heavily armed militants into this side from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), where large number of ultras are awaiting at launch pads to sneak into this side before the higher reaches experienced snowfall.
Sources said the Minister was informed about the functioning of anti-infiltration grid along the LoC to foil any such attempts. He was also given brief about the successful thwarting of infiltration bids in the recent past by the troops guarding the LoC.
Asserting that the developmental initiatives taken by Centre have percolated down to the people at grass root level, Nityanand Rai said that no power on earth can stop the prosperity of J&K.
The Union MoS for Home Affairs made these remarks after reaching Kupwara for a three-day visit as part of the Union Government’s public outreach programme to the Union Territory.
“It is crystal clear that the developmental initiatives initiated by Union Government from time to time have percolated down to the people at grass root level. Development has given its deep roots and no power on earth can stop the prosperity of the region,” he said while addressing the progressive farmers and PRIs.
He said the Government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has broader vision for development in Jammu and Kashmir and is committed to build a New Kashmir. “People of Kashmir have whole heartedly supported prevalence of peace in the region,” he said and urged upon the youth and all stakeholders to take advantage of new initiatives of development.
The Minister asked the people present on the occasion to be brave enough to inform him about clear picture of development taking place in their areas, adding that the sole aim of Union Government’s public outreach programme is to assess the development at grassroots level.
Expressing satisfaction over the positive approach and interest of youth in education, Rai said that 13 youth from J&K including nine from Valley have qualified the prestigious UPSC exam and urged upon the youth to take keen interest in education and development of their personalities.
Interacting with people associated with handicrafts and other stall vendors, the Minister stressed upon the need for enhancement of marketing avenues in addition to production, adding that the whole of India is a market place for products of Kashmiri origin.
The spokesperson said that the Minister on reaching Kupwara laid foundation stone of Model Agriculture Farm at Khahipora-Zachaldara in Handwara Subdivision of Kupwara district and sowed snow peas in the farm.
The Minister was informed that the 10 kanal farm, having project cost of Rs 50 lakh, shall benefit 8000 farm operating families of the area. The farm is being developed on scientific lines for dissemination and demonstration of farm technology to the farming community with a sole aim of doubling the farmer’s income by 2022, a slogan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Minister also inspected various stalls established by Agriculture and its allied departments.
The Minister laid e-foundation stone of 15 Solid Waste Management Plants costing Rs.1.20 crore. These waste management plants shall be developed under convergence of Swach Bharat Mission (SBM) and MGNREGA in different panchayats of the area including Rajwar, Magam, Mawar, Handwara, Nutnussa, Qaziabad, Kupwara, Langate and Drugmulla.
The Minister distributed certificates of appreciation, Golden/E-Shram Cards, sanction letters for dairy units and walnut processing unit under One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
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