*Reviews aspirational distt parameters
Avtar Bhat
BARAMULLA, Apr 25 : Maintaining that Kashmir valley offers unexplored StartUp potential for livelihood, Union Minister in PMO with Independent Charge of Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh today made it clear that Narendra Modi Government has created so many alternative avenues of employment which are more lucrative than a Government job and youth of Kashmir should take full advantage of them.
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Talking to reporters at the sidelines of an official function held to review the aspirational districts parameters here, he made it clear that it is not possible to provide Government job to all youth but a responsible Government under Modi is committed to provide avenues of self livelihood to people and in this regard many schemes have been launched by the Government countrywide.
Dr Jitendra Singh, while asking the youth of Kashmir to take advantage of these schemes, said the Kashmir is centre of Aroma revolution and Gulmarg has a vast potential for Lavender cultivation. He also urged media and others to create awareness about this as Kashmir is a land of unexplored potential.
Responding to a question of growing unemployment in J&K, Dr Jitendra Singh said during his last meeting he had an opportunity to meet the women StartUps in Kashmir and Government is providing them all facilities with subsidy on freight charges for taking their products in the various markets of the country for sale. He said these young women StartUps have taken keen interest in establishing their units instead of hankering for a Government job and others should also follow them.
In response to another question that the development has not taken place in the J&K on expected lines during Modi Government , Dr Jitendra Singh said “You should compare the figures of last seven years with past seven decades and you can find the difference”.
In response to another question that opposition is leveling allegations that the projects inaugurated by PM Modi at Jammu yesterday were proposed by Manmohan Singh Government during UPA IInd, Dr Jitendra Singh said this indicates that Congress was not capable of carrying these projects and the Modi Government started them.
On the holding of Assembly elections in J&K, the Union Minister said that such decisions are taken by Election Commission of India which is a Constitutional body. However, so far as BJP is concerned our party is always 24x7x12 in election mood. “For us whenever the elections are declared we are ready”, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that Safron has been given GI tagging so that its products and market can improve besides new technology has been provided to apple growers to double the quantity of the fruit. Moreover, double crop system has also been introduced in Kashmir through technology, he added.
On the increasing power cuts in J&K, he said this time Summer has come much earlier but he will take up the issue with Lt Governor and whatever possible steps are needed in this regard will be taken.
Dr. Jitendra Singh arrived here today on an official visit to review the Aspirational District parameters and the progress of work being carried out under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP).
The district administration led by Deputy Commissioner, Bhupendra Kumar made a detailed presentation before the Minister. The Minister is also scheduled to meet the DDC members and the PRIs.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said that the Central Government is committed to raising the living standards of its citizens and ensuring inclusive growth for all. He said that ADP closely focuses on improving people’s ability to participate fully in the developmental economy.
The Minister said that the areas such as PM Fasal Bima Yojana, electronic National Agriculture Market, Bharat Net facility in each Panchayat, financial inclusion shall be some of the aspects to be addressed under ADP.
Deliberating on the mechanism of the programme Dr. Singh said that the districts are encouraged to first catch up with the best district within their State, and subsequently aspire to become one of the best in the country, by competing with, and learning from others.
Praising the work done in Baramulla under ADP, he said that by means of aspirational districts there is contribution at different levels of work culture, social culture and behavioural culture to achieve the standard prescribed benchmark. He praised the utility of the model and said that it is based on a scientific approach which has the scope of dynamic real-time evaluation.
He said that the Government is committed to take Baramulla to the maximum of its potential in sustainable development and economic growth with proper follow-ups from time to time. Praising the biodiversity of the district he said that Baramulla is one of the oldest districts of J&K with huge forest reserves. He expressed his view of organising biotechnology workshops in the region to make people aware about the technological innovation for effective cost and time management.
After taking a comprehensive review of different parameters which have contributed to making Baramulla as one among the aspirational districts of India, Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the role of district administration for its efforts in achievements under ADP. He also directed the concerned officers to work with utmost dedication in order to be amongst the top in the ranks of the Programme.
Meanwhile various issues hampering the path of overall progress were thoroughly discussed in the meeting which the minister assured shall be taken into consideration for their timely resolution. Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla and other officials of the district administration were also present in the meeting.
Noteworthy to mention that Centre has directed Union Ministers to visit different aspirational districts for official appraisal of the ground level assessment of the initiative. Launched by the Prime Minister in January 2018, ADP aims to quickly and effectively transform under-developed districts across the country. The broad outline of the programme includes Convergence, Collaboration and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking, all driven by a mass movement.
Another focus of the programme is to further dive into the progress at the block-level within each district. The districts are encouraged to monitor the progress of the blocks that lead to the overall improvement of the district. ADP essentially is aimed at localizing Sustainable Development Goals, leading to the progress of the nation.
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