![Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh addressing a gathering at Samba on Sunday. —Excelsior/Rakesh Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh addressing a gathering at Samba on Sunday. —Excelsior/Rakesh](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/page1-13.jpg)
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Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Dec 4: Making a scathing attack on a leader of a dynastic Party which ruled the State for decades together for giving clean chit to Pakistan and instead accusing the Government for unrest and rise in terror related activities in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that leader of the Party knows fully that he will be put in trouble by speaking against Pakistan, separatists or terrorists.
Talking to reporters here, today soon after the arrival from Union Capital to participate in laying the foundation stone of Kissan Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Samba, Dr Singh said that it needs courage of conviction to speak against the Pakistan, terrorists and separatists and to redeem what their three generations have done to Kashmir.
“He who makes such a statement knows fully that he can very well get away with pointing out fingers towards the Modi Government, but by speaking against Pakistan or its sympathisers will make him earn their wrath and invite trouble for himself”, said Dr Singh.
On Government’s verbal bravado being responsible for rise in terrorist violence and Fidayeen attacks, as has been alleged by former Chief Minster two days back, Dr Singh said by making such utterances he is only blaming his father, and grand father who had been at the helm of affairs in the State for longer period. Going by the statements of former Chief Minister one can only construe that it is because of mess created by them that Kashmir had to go through turmoil, he added.
Dr Singh questioned the silence of leaders like former CM over proactive statements emanating from Pakistan and said that this speaks about the double standards of the leaders as they don’t have courage of conviction to oppose the perpetrators of terrorism in Kashmir and this is a cowardice act.
He said that Government is taking cognisance of what Pak supporters in India have said and what they are doing but we should not get perturbed as these people are getting exposed.
“It is not also anything new as it has been a history with many leaders in Kashmir that whenever in power they swear by Indian nationality and when out they challenge the same,” he added.
On the opposition raising fingers on the visit of advisor to Pak Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz to India, he said regardless what opposition says people of this country support host of decisions taken by Prime Minster Modi which include India’s approach towards Pakistan and demonetization.
Terming the torching of schools in Kashmir unfortunate, he however said that it is most gratifying that the people and children in Valley are coming out to protest against the same. The students in Kashmir will not allow any one to deprive them of their right to schooling and education. Terming it a positive development, Dr Singh said they have done what the mainstream leaders could not do over the years.
Later while laying the foundation stone of KVK at Samba, Dr Singh said that the drive against the black money and “remonetisation” will ultimately benefit the farmers and enrich the agriculture and rural economy of India. “ The money added to State exchequer will eventually go to those sections of society which were so far being held to ransom as a result of black money hoarded by few”.
He said Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojna” announced by PM Narendra Modi recently is envisaged to get accomplished when the parallel economy or black money becomes a part of country’s legitimate or mainstream economy, he added.
Lambasting at Opposition leaders, the Union Minister said that they are uncomfortable with the decision hence are regularly putting out different arguments to challenge it. One of the arguments put across is, how will it help the larger population of India living in rural and semi rural areas or the large number of common citizens queuing up for exchange of currency notes. The answer to this is very simple, he said, adding when a handful of people hoarding unaccountable money obtained through illegitimate means they are made to surrender it to banks, which will ultimately end up in reinforcing the country’s legitimate exchequer and increase the quantum of money in the banks.
As a result, he said this will enable the State exchequer to carry forward Modi Government’s pro farmers and pro poor schemes in a more effective manner by providing high financial resources, possible reduction in interest rates on loans to the farmers, the poor, the needy and the youth entrepreneurs and raising the overall capacity of fair economic transaction.
Describing PM’s decision to change the legal order of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes as a decision of the century, Dr Singh said that the decision was not taken by the Government for past 70 years because they had their vested interests deeply entrenched in black money and corruption. Narendra Modi is the only Prime Minister who could take up the decision because of his impeccable honesty, sincerity and courage of conviction with no vested interest whatsoever or nothing to hide. The entire exercise is motivated keeping in mind the interest of poorest of poor and therefore ultimately those who had to undergo initial inconveniences during this transition would be the actual beneficiaries.
Lashing out at opposition parties, he said the disgruntled opposition has made laughing stock for themselves and speaking the language of separatists because in several decades of their rule at Centre and in the State they could not do for Jammu what Modi Government has done in over two years. IIT, IIM, AIIMS, Medical Colleges for Jammu and Engineering College for Kathua, Biotech Park at Ghaati, bridges including Keediyan Gadayl, Atal Sethu, Juthana, seed processing unit and so on.
While giving full credit to the Modi Government for the release of Rs 2000 crore package for POJK refuges, he lambasted on those who term it a final instalment and seek affidavits from refugees. Dr Singh said this is not the final instalment and no affidavits are needed. The Union Minister said that the decision on the settlement of demands of West Pak refugees will also be taken within days.
He said out of 750 Kissan Vigyan Kendras in the country and 70 in the State, the KVK in Samba will be seventh in the Jammu province and soon three more KVKs will be set up at Kishtwar, Kathua and Udhampur which will help the farmers in research and provide guidance to them regarding various scientific means of farming.
Chander Prakash Ganga, Minister of Industries & Commerce, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament, Jammu-Poonch Constituency, Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal. MLA, Samba, Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, vice Chancellor SKUAST J, Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana, Rashpal Verma, Vice Chairman OBC Board, J&K and Dr. Raj Kumar Arora, Associate Director Extension (KVKs) also addressed the gathering.
Union Minister of Agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh approved the establishment of new of Agricultural Research.
Minister of Industries & Commerce congratulated SKUAST for establishing a new KVK for the district Samba. He deliberated on the importance of agriculture sector and mentioned that with the establishment of KVK, the farmers of the district will get exposure to new agricultural technologies, which will lead to higher productivity.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, briefed about the importance of pro-farmer schemes, introduced by the Government of India. He pressed his satisfaction for the establishment of KVK Samba under Jammu and wished that KVK Samba will go a long way in serving the farming community of the district.