`Industrial investments will be on ground in a year’
Dec 31 celebrations at Lal Chowk show dark era is over
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today announced launch of ‘Operation All Out’ in the coming days to flush out remaining terrorists including in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch saying this will address security concerns and foster a safe environment in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha also announced that investment proposals worth Rs 90,000 crore received by the UT Government will be on ground within a year while Rs 20,000 crore worth investment is already on ground.
He said this while addressing Panchjanya’s ‘Baat Bharat Ki’ conclave in New Delhi and later in an interview to Organiser Editor Prafulla Ketkar and Panchjanya Editor Hitesh Shankar.
Responding to a question on targeted killings, the Lieutenant Governor announced launch of ‘Operation All Out’ in the coming days saying the strategic execution of this operation will have significant impact, demonstrating the authorities’ commitment in addressing security concerns and fostering a safer environment in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The targeted killings especially that of employees from other States were orchestrated to spark global discussions and convey a narrative that things are far from normal in Jammu and Kashmir. Regions like Rajouri and Poonch have been specifically targeted. However, there has been a silver lining in security landscape as hardcore terrorists have been successfully neutralized,” he said.
Sinha described as baseless the allegations that terrorism is related to unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir. He said Jharkhand has higher unemployment.
Asserting that terror ecosystem has been smashed, he, however, said the Government is striving hard to completely root it out. Development is now taking place, he said, adding that not just terrorism the Government is working to finish entire terror ecosystem. “The Government doesn’t believe in buying peace but establishing peace and has achieved success to quite an extent”.
“Following announcement of new Industrial Development Scheme, Jammu and Kashmir has received Rs 90,000 crore worth investment proposals. Of them, investments to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore have been implemented on ground while rest of the proposals will also be on ground within a year,” Sinha said while addressing the conclave.
He pointed out that private investments in Jammu and Kashmir were just Rs 14,000 crore till 2021 since independence.
“We have also received foreign investment proposals in both Jammu and Srinagar from Emaar Group,” he said, adding that Kashmir will be connected by rail this year while Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth National Highways and tunnels are being constructed in the Union Territory which will give a boost to the connectivity.
Referring to development of Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said when Ram Setu was being constructed a Squirrel used to carry water on its tail and sprinkle it on the bridge to play its part.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid pillars of development, Home Minister Amit Shah gave bricks and stones and we are contributing like the Squirrel to complete construction of Ram Setu,” he added.
Maintaining that instead of gun shots, now development process is visible in Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said the youth now move in the Valley carrying laptops in their hands and not stones. Earlier, there was silence before Sunset but now even in harsh winters, the people enjoy night life there.
“Jammu and Kashmir has kept India’s head high,” he asserted.
Referring to the celebrations at metros, Goa and other big cities on December 31, the English New Year eve, Sinha said the videos of celebrations at Lal Chowk, Srinagar till 2 AM were more viral than any other big cities which was clear indication that dark period in Kashmir is over and the Valley has entered into new era.
He added that post August 5, 2019 developments, dreams of many people have been fulfilled.
The Lieutenant Governor disclosed that 55,000 foreign tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, an increase of 350 percent after successful conduct of G20 Summit in the Valley. During 2022, 1.88 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir while the number went up to 2.11 crore in 2023.
He said Jammu and Kashmir has ranked No. 1 in digital governance. He added that 92,500 projects have been completed during last financial year with complete transparency.
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