Speaker, 4 Union Ministers, many MPs to join Panchayat Prog in Leh today
Nation capable of safeguarding borders, people
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 26: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reached Leh today on eight-day visit of the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir during which he will address Panchayat Outreach Programmes in Leh and Srinagar, interact with Panchayat representatives at Nubra, Pangong, Pahalgam and Gulmarg and meet top dignitaries and officers while four Union Ministers will join the programme in Leh tomorrow.
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The Union Ministers include Minister for Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Minister of State for Women and Child Development and AYUSH Dr Munjapara Mahendrabhai. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur, chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees, Members of Parliament, Chairmen of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil and other eminent dignitaries will also attend the function.
On August 28, Birla will interact with representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, dignitaries and officers at Nubra and Pangong while he will reach Srinagar on August 29. On August 30 and September 1, the Speaker will interact with representatives of PRIs and officers at Pahalgam and Gulmarg respectively while he will address Parliamentary Outreach Programme on PRIs in Srinagar on August 31 and return to New Delhi on September 2.
Birla told reporters in Leh that the Armed forces would not let political turmoil in any other country affect India.
In an apparent reference to China, Birla said the “expansionist approach” of a few countries results in border disputes and asserted that India always propagates peace and works for strengthening democratic setup in other nations.
About recent political crisis in Afghanistan, the Speaker said India favours democratic system flourishing in all countries.
“India has always propagated peace and worked for strengthening democracies across the world… We have full faith in our armed forces that they wouldn’t let political turmoil in any other country (Afghanistan) affect India,” he said.
On the recent tensions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Birla said, Ladakh region is the land of Buddha who preached peace and harmony and that is what India also propagates.
“Here from Leh, the land of Buddha, we only want to send the message of peace and harmony. India has always opposed cross-border terrorism and expansionism. But it is the expansionist approach of few countries which led to disputes at borders,” Birla said.
“We are against the policy of expansionism and cross-border terrorism. Border disputes arise mainly due to expansionist approach of few countries. India favours democratic system flourishing in all countries,” he said.
He further said India is capable of safeguarding its borders and people.
Birla said in the current times, he hopes that all countries will come together and make an action plan to end terrorism by strengthening the democratic system.
Talking about Ladakh, Birla said the region should be developed according to the expectations of the people and its geographical location.
The region has the potential to emerge as one of the most sought-after international tourist destination, Birla said, adding Ladakh’s infrastructure is being developed at a very fast pace.
“Development of the Union Territory of Ladakh will be done as per the geographical requirements and with an aim to make the local population `Atma Nirbhar’. Tourism will be bolstered to generate employment opportunities for locals,” Birla said.
He said the Government is committed to the development and progress of the Ladakh Union Territory stating that the Hill Councils will get more powers.
Welcoming the Lok Sabha Speaker to Leh, Lieutenant Governor Radha Krishna Mathur said: “The visit (of Om Birla) shall enlighten and strengthen the Panchayati Raj and other elected institutions of Ladakh”.
“The Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions is a unique initiative of the Lok Sabha Speaker. A first of its kind programme, it is intended to strengthen the institutions of governance and planning at the grass-root level,” an official statement issued ahead of the programme said.
The broad objectives of the Programme are to create mass awareness/mass participation, create self confidence/self respect for the ground level leaders, creation of sense of ownership of the assets that have been created, fuelling the ambitions for grass root political leaders for democratic values, creating awareness about the various schemes and the doorstep delivery – opportunities for development work and opportunity to develop a network and push the inspirational level of the ground level leadership.
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