Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Nov 27: Though BJP’s vision document promised overall development of the border State of J&K, it had no reference to Article 370, once the main agenda of the Party.
Naming it “Hamare Sapanon Ka Jammu Kashmir”, (J&K of our dreams), the vision document was released at a press conference here, this morning by State Prabhari of the Party and MP from Punjab, Avinash Rai Khanna along with BJP State president, Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Union Minister and senior Party leader, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Leader of BJP Legislative Party, Ashok Khajuria, ex president of the party, Shamsher Singh Manhas, BJP senior leader and incharge publicity, Brig (retd) Anil Gupta and Prof Hari Om.
It has reference to almost all issues including grant of citizenship rights as well as right to vote for West Pak refugees in State Assembly and local bodies, their right to immovable property in the State, settling the genuine demands of 1947 refugees from PoJK, compensation to 1965 and 1971 as well as the border migrants and their proper rehabilitation.
The BJP has become the first political party which has promised reservation of five seats for PoJK refugees out of 24 seats left vacant in the Assembly for PoJK and three seats for Kashmiri Pandits out of 46 seats earmarked for Kashmir Valley, abolish the Custodian Department in the State and allot the evacuees property to the occupants and establish parity in the ex-gratia paid to those killed in cross border firing and terrorist violence.
It also promised to start special recruitment drive in Police and other belt forces for border residents, besides allotment of five marlas of land to border residents at safer places.
The document further assured to initiate process for honorable resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in Valley with security and dignity, create livable conditions for them in exile in Jammu and elsewhere till their rehabilitation in Valley, initiate steps for the resumption of pilgrimage to the ancient Sharda Temple and make provisions for establishment of Sharda University as also Devnagri as an alternative script for Kashmiri language.
The vision document promised empowerment of ex-servicemen and martyrs’ families, social justice to all, empowerment of youth by initiating various schemes and giving thrust to skill development, take initiative for empowerment of farmers who are the back-bone of the State, besides initiate steps for empowerment of women.
For revival of industry in the State, the document promised to encourage outside investment by providing transparent system of industrial package and incentives as well as establishment of cement factory in Basohli area of Jammu region.
According to vision document, the good governance will be the hall mark of the Party, besides due steps will be taken for water conservation, disaster management and restoration of ecological balance, besides protection of all lakes and other water bodes in the State. The vision document which has also given thrust information technology assures to develop Kashmir and suitable areas of Jammu province as hubs of IT Industry like the Silicon Valley, besides fostering broad band network at affordable prices.
The Party called for peaceful, progressive and developed State of the Union of India through holistic and inclusive progress of its all three regions, i.e Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
The vision document gave a TIME concept, in which T stands for development of Tourism Sector in the State, I, for infrastructure development, M for Modernization and E, for Empowerment.
It said the first and major work of the Party if it comes to power in the State would be to provide relief and rehabilitation to the victims of unprecedented rain fall and floods in the first week of September this year. The BJP Government will accelerate the relief and rehabilitation measures in a mission mode. There will be no favouritism and justice will be ensured to all the aggrieved individuals and the families. It also ensures direct transfer of cash in the accounts of the affected people.
Maintaining that tourism is the mainstay of State’s economy, the vision document assures a focused road map for the development of all tourist spots in the State by addressing problems of house boat owners, promote rural, adventure, border, winter and pilgrimage tourism as well as sports, develop world class infrastructure at designated tourist spots, provide round the year connectivity to Ladakh region, develop world class infrastructure at designated tourist spots, extend rail link to Ladakh via Bilaspur in HP and open Kailash Mansarovar road and establish tourist circuits.
Assuring creation of world class infrastructure for development of the State, The Vision document promised to optimally exploit the rich water sources of the State for commercial hydro power generation, provide 24×7 electricity and water supply, establish university in Ladakh, develop Jammu, Srinagar as smarter cities, open more super specialty hospitals and initiate learn and earn schemes for 12 th pass students focused on skill development.
However Mr Khanna during press conference evaded volley of questions on Article 370 and said that Party’s stand on it is known.
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