Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Jan 21: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said that his Government’s massive outreach programme is aimed at resolving all the issues confronting people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters at a function in Harwan area in the outskirts of Srinagar, Naqvi said that outreach is aimed at starting a dialogue to mitigate the miseries of the people. “The outreach is aimed at starting a dialogue and listen to the miseries of the people of this region. We have to make sure that we understand their sadness, their needs, and do something about resolving all those issues that people are confronting”, he said.
The Union Minister said that the positive change that is being witnessed in J&K is going to have an impact on the people. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is striving to see joy in the eyes of the people of J&K”, he added.
“The termites of corruption had destroyed this heaven on the earth. We have done what was to be done and we will be making this heaven a heaven all over again”, he said.
Naqvi said that he met 11 delegations today and will meet more tomorrow. “In order to bring about a positive and effective change in the lives of the people, we have started this outreach program. Today, we met atleast 11 delegations and we will continue to meet people even tomorrow”, he added.
The Minister said that “For last so many years, the expectations of people were not met as they should have been. Some people did a lot for their personal interests, but did nothing for the common people who have been suffering over the years now. Nothing, which could have benefitted people, was ever done. So people have got expectations from us, and we will come up to their expectations”, he said.
“We have come here neither to criticise anyone nor to respond to anyone’s criticism; we have come here with a positive mind-set and positive approach-we are in the middle of people and we are meeting them”, he said.
Earlier speaking to people of Farkir Gujri in the area, Naqvi said: “We will provide scholarships to every student who applies for it. There is a dire need to impart skill development among the youth so that they can either establish their own business or get employment. We have framed a khawshalvikas on a huge level and “hunar hubs” will be set up in every area to impart skill development among youth. This will help them generate employment for others as well.”
He said that funds to the tune of over Rs 16000 crores has been granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Himayat programme and we are planning to release more funds.
“AIIMS are being established in Awantipora and Samba areas of Kashmir and Jammu. In addition, five Medical Colleges have also been established wherein the number of seats have been increased to 500. These institutions would help empowering the youth of the Jammu and Kashmir and increase their employment avenues”, he said.
The Union Minister said “It is not that the Centre is releasing funds first time. A huge amount of funds has been allocated to improve health, road network, electricity and water in Jammu and Kashmir earlier as well but the funds were gobbled by a few people and never reached to people. The people would never receive the benefits, but Modi Government is making sure the money reaches to the people of the area”, he said.
“It will be first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that this number of Central Ministers are meeting people at different places here. They are talking about the welfare of people and suggesting means to improve the lives of the people. This is our resolve”, he said.
“We have received representation of the people that there are no education and healthcare facilities here. All the things will be provided under Prime Minister’s Jan Vikas Karikram. There is a big gap and the things intended to improve the lives of the people are missing. We would continue to visit here in future as well”, said Naqvi.
He e-inaugurated three Malroo bridge, Forest Protection hut Bemina and High School building Dara from Harwan in presence of gathering.
A Block Development Council member, Muhammad Rafiq Kataria, of Lolab Wavra said: “We are hopeful that with his visit to Kashmir, the unemployment will go and the developmental work will start; he is visiting other districts as well. He is looking into the aspects of money being spend on the works; we are also hopeful that he will take notice of the accommodation and the security of the BDC members”,
One Muhammad Gulzar Faunda, who was part of gathering, said: “Kashmir was already wounded and now that another wound has been given to it, its healing seems impossible. Money has been coming in the past and it will continue to flow even in the future as well, but the special status of J&K is gone forever; the Statehood shall be given back and only then the things will settle down here”.
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