PM to visit Ladakh, share thoughts with people, to launch development works

Will soon get special provisions under Article 371

*UT very close to heart of Modi: Union Minister

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Aug 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special concerns about development of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and North East and he is scheduled to visit the Union Territory of Ladakh, Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said today in Leh.

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Addressing silver jubilee founder's day function of Druk Padma Karpo School at Shey in Leh today, Rijiju announced that the Prime Minister will visit Ladakh and will express his views.

While the Union Minister didn't announce when Modi will visit Ladakh, there have been reports that the Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate and launch development projects in the Union Territory. Some of these projects are nearing completion.

The Prime Minister has been wanting for a long time to visit the region and share his thoughts with the people and this desire may also see the light of day soon, the Union Minister said.

“I as a Cabinet Minister has observed that Narendra Modi always has special focus on development of Ladakh, North East and Jammu and Kashmir,'' he said.

Asserting that Ladakh is very close to the heart of Modi, the Union Minister said Ladakh will soon get special provisions under Article 371 as an exceptional case.

“Narendra Modi always believed that regions like Ladakh need special attention and he has been working towards this ever since he first assumed charge as the Prime Minister. It is because of his vision that the development landscape of Ladakh is witnessing change like never before, both on economic and social fronts,'' Rijiju said.

He said that under the guidance of Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs is working towards providing special provisions for Ladakh. This is only because of Modi's affinity for the region that such provisions are being considered for the region, he added.

He expressed confidence that these provisions will materialize soon and the people of Ladakh will be able to take benefits from them.

Asserting that there is a sea change in the way people used to look at Ladakh and the scenario now is entirely different from what it was 25 years ago, Rijiju said that a lot of development has taken place in the region, especially in the last 10 years. He made special mention of improvements in road connectivity and said that journeys from one part of the UT to the other which would earlier take days can now be completed in a matter of hours.

“Recent developments like the creation of new districts in Ladakh will greatly benefit the population and people will realize that such changes have been brought in only for their benefit,” he said, adding that UT status had also been a long pending demand of the people of Ladakh and that demand has also now been fulfilled. A bench of the High Court will also be established in Ladakh in the near future and this will greatly benefit the local population,'' the Union Minister said.

Rijiju mentioned that he is the first Buddhist ever to hold a position in the Union Cabinet of Ministers and it is only because of PM Modi's care and concern for the minorities that such a thing has become possible. He added that all minorities have equal opportunities in the country and that the government is committed to the development of all minorities and a lot of work is being done towards making that possible.

Addressing the students present at the gathering, the Minister said that the youth should hold on to their roots and traditions and not be swayed by outside influences, especially through the internet. He said that blind following of online trends can sometimes have negative consequences which may result in violence and law and order situations.

Senior dignitaries from the UT administration and eminent members of religious and civil society forums were also present on the occasion.