‘Safety of KP employees topmost priority of Admn’
*G20 meeting in J&K message to enemies of humanity
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that security forces have stepped up direct attack on the ecosystem that supports and finances terror and declared that every drop of blood and tears shed in Jammu and Kashmir due to barbaric killings of innocents at the behest of neighbouring country will be avenged.
He said this while addressing an impressive Republic Day function at MA Stadium here yesterday.
“Security forces have intensified direct attacks on the ecosystem that supports and finances terror,” Sinha said, adding that sustained efforts of security agencies have resulted in a marked decrease in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the Security Grid has been strengthened and anti-terror operations have been intensified.
“I want to tell those involved in the barbaric killings of innocents at the behest of the neighbouring country that we will avenge every drop of blood and tears”, Sinha said.
Seven civilians were killed in terror strike at the houses of minority community members in Rajouri district on January 1. Last week nine people were injured when two explosions rocked Narwal area.
He assured the families, who lost their loved ones, that the entire nation stands with them and concrete measures will be taken to ensure that the families of the bravehearts live a life of comfort and dignity.
“Today, I bow to the brave soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and Central security forces, who displayed unmatched heroism and the spirit of sacrifice in defending the motherland”, he said.
On terrorism, the Lieutenant Governor said, 180 terrorists were neutralised last year and there has been a corresponding reduction of 55 percent in civilian killings and 58 percent in the martyrdom of security forces.
“A befitting reply is being given to narco-terrorists and seizures and arrests in narco-terror cases have increased. During the ‘Back to Village’ programme, a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir campaign was organized in several identified Panchayats. Those profiting from this vile business of death are to be blamed than those caught in the grip of drugs and the administration is determined to rehabilitate addicted youth”, he said.
Sinha said safety of the Kashmiri Pandit employees is his administration’s topmost priority.
“The administration is trying to solve the problems of Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters with utmost sensitivity. Their safety is our topmost priority,” he added.
He said all PM package and minority employees working in the Kashmir valley have been deployed at safe places. “A Nodal Officer has been appointed in the Raj Bhavan and in every district to resolve issues related to their security and other problems.”
The LG also said the longstanding issue of availability of land for them has been resolved and the construction of 3,000 accommodations for KPs will be completed this year.
On January 20th, the foundation stone for another residential colony was laid in Zevan, Srinagar, which will resolve the problem of accommodation for employees posted in Srinagar, he added.
“All pending promotions of employees appointed under the PM package have been cleared and the issue of promotions from non-Gazetted to Gazetted category has been forwarded to the Public Service Commission,” Sinha said.
The Kashmir Migrant Portal, launched in September last year for registering grievances related to illegal encroached on properties during the 1990s, has got 8,408 applications and action has been taken on 6336 of them, resulting in the removal of encroachment from 2608 kanals of land, he said.
The LG said 2022 was a year of achievements for Jammu and Kashmir.
“However, we have higher aspirations and bigger goals for the future. We have to capitalize on the present opportunity and take a pledge to build a competitive Jammu and Kashmir which will be prosperous, safe and peaceful where daughters are given equal rights and opportunities for development; and where the rural and urban divide is diminished,” he added.
Sinha said the upcoming G-20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir is a “message to the enemies of humanity” and urged people of the Union Territory to come forward and make it an “inclusive” event.
“The G-20 meeting being held in Jammu and Kashmir in May this year is a message to the enemies of humanity who were attacking the interests of our citizens through cowardly acts of terrorism for decades,” Sinha said.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, is the “life blood” of the country.
Sinha said it is the guiding lamp of the civilization and “eternal sound of our social consciousness”.
“Jammu and Kashmir today stands tall with self-confidence, encompassing the great heritage and cultural values of the world’s largest Republic. Today, J&K is marching forward on the path to progress,” he said.
“I urge every section of the society to come forward and make the G-20 an inclusive event,” the LG said.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir is not just a geographical entity but a vibrant and radiant ecosystem, where different faiths are the guiding force of inclusive culture.
“Jammu and Kashmir is a rhythmic dialogue of social, cultural values, plurality and tolerance. It is the aura of self-confident India. Harmukh, Amarnath, Pir Panjal and Trikuta Hills are the highest peaks of our spiritual heritage.
“The waves of Jhelum, Chenab and Tawi rivers reflect the essence of our intellectual and spiritual experiences. Since times immemorial the spiritual energy and blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Sudh Mahadev, Budha Amarnath have guided our society,” he said.
Sinha said that for decades, the development and aspirations of common people were held hostage by “exploitative and anti-developmental” land laws.
“Over the last two years, land owners have been empowered through a series of land reforms. Legal action is being taken against influential people who had illegally encroached upon the Government land,” he said.
The LG said the people are at the centre of governance. “We have ensured that the interests of common citizens are protected and that they are not impacted by the campaign to remove illegal encroachments. We have been successful to a great extent in curbing corruption by issuing land passbooks in three languages.”
He said that so far, 28 lakh such passbooks have been distributed, and revenue records are being demystified for eliminating the possibility of manipulation.
Similarly, the new land-use laws have ensured that people get a reasonable and fair price for their land and the interest of farmers are protected, he said.
He said a series of developmental initiatives are going on in J&K to push the UT to new heights of achievements.
“Srinagar and Jammu will soon have metros. The tubes on the Srinagar-Jammu highway are also being set up on war footing,” he added.
Sinha said that for the first time, J&K will have a Women Industrial Estate while promotions of almost 2000 officers that didn’t take place since 2001 are being cleared. He said that the special focus of the administration is on the youth as J&K’s 70 per cent economy is dependent on agriculture.
On digital reforms, the LG said, in just two years, we have laid the foundation of a new digital society and bridged the digital divide to a great extent.
“In the last one year, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 11 lakh e-transactions per day, which is about 48,000 e-transactions per hour. All applications for Government services have been made online from January 15th and 400 services have been integrated into the feedback mechanism for monitoring the quality of service. Further, 250 online services have been brought under the Public Service Guarantee Act to ensure delivery of these services within stipulated time frame and easy redressal of grievances through integration with the auto appeal system,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also said that Government has achieved something remarkable in terms of education.
“After three decades of stagnation, schools were operational for 200 days last year, which is a statement of an emerging vibrant society that has broken free from shackles of the past,” he said adding, “In the realm of school education, emphasis is being laid on increasing enrolment, access to quality education, retention and introduction of an educational framework that sparks curiosity in children, focuses on value based education and makes them passionate about studies.”
Sinha said: “70,000 children have been taken to classrooms through the “Aao School Chalein” campaign. We recorded a 17.87% increase in enrollment in the year 2022 through special focus on early child care and education”.
He said a record 1.88 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir last year, which is the highest since independence. Infrastructure are being strengthened at Mata Vaishno Devi, construction work of Mantalai Wellness Center has been completed at a cost of Rs. 80 crore and the design of Katra Multi Modal Station has been finalized.
He added that after the launch of the New Film Policy in 2021, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the favourite shooting destination for film industry and permission has been granted for shooting of 150 films and web series in less than two years.
Sinha said that for the first time in the last seven decades of independence, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing an Industrial Revolution.
“It has opened up doors of immense possibilities for the new generation. Private investment proposals worth Rs. 66,000 crore have been received within a period of around one year, during which 1455 industrial units started their operations,” he said.
“The foundation stone of Emaar Group Shopping Mall and IT Tower shall be laid in March, 2023 and 52 other industrial units will also start their operations during the same month. Further, land has been allotted to 1711 industrial units which is also a new record in the industrial history of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Another 77 industrial units are being developed on private land and in the last three years, 500 Startups have come up which have ushered in a new social revolution. Sincere efforts are being made to revive the handloom and handicraft sector,” the LG said, adding, “We are committed to provide training, design, technology inputs like GI tag and such other infrastructural support as are required for quality, branding and boosting global demand for our handicraft products”.
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