Balbir Ram Rattan
On going through numerous landmark decisions taken by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during the last nine (9) years, while providing good governance to the country and the people, it will very clearly prove that all the sections and regions of Jammu and Kashmir have got due care and share for the first time in history in many sectors.
Many “FIRSTS” have come up for this border state (now Union Territory) of Jammu and Kashmir in fields of development, health, education, social welfare, thus benefitting almost every citizen. Few such examples are enough to authenticate what is being said in this regard.
It has happened for the first time that refugees from West Pakistan, who were leading miserable lives for more than seventy years, have been granted citizenship rights like other citizens of India. They have also been provided financial assistance of rupees 5.5 lakh per family.
For the first time, the displaced persons from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) too have received financial assistance of rupees 5.5 lakh.
Nine seats in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly have been reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community for the first time.
People living along Line of Control (LoC) have been provided reservation at par with those of International Border (IB).
Ten perc ent reservation for economically weaker sections from among the general category has been provided for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, like other states and UTs.
Long cherished dream of the abrogation of controversial Article 370 has become reality for the first time after decades of struggle and sacrifices of patriotic people. The Narendra Modi government took a historic decision and repealed this special provision from the constitution, paving the way for full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country and beginning of an era of peace and prosperity. Abrogation of Article 370 has also removed the past practice of hoisting two flags, and now only the tricolor is seen on government buildings and official vehicles. Similarly, 35A, which had been depriving the daughters of the soil of their rights as residents on getting married outside Jammu and Kashmir and barred them from claiming share in properties of their parents, got removed.
For the first time, Jammu and Kashmir has got two AIIMS, which, on completion, will serve as big help to the patients, who had to go to PGI, Chandigarh, AIIMS, New Delhi or private hospitals in Punjab or elsewhere for specialised treatment. For the first time, medical colleges at district levels, Bone & Joint and Cancer hospital are coming up in the UT.
A number of prestigious educational institutions like IIT and IIM, besides Food Craft Institute and Bio-tech Park have been established in the UT.
Jammu and Srinagar cities are being developed as Smart Cities, which will obviously upgrade the existing infrastructure in many sectors and add to the ease of living.
Tawi River front, on the pattern of Sabarmati river of Gujrat, is being developed, which on completion, will serve a multi purpose project, particularly a tourist destination adding to boost the local economy. Work on rejuvenation of ancient river Devika has been taken into hand for the first time. It will prove to be one of the most attractive religious tourism destination.
Night flights facility has been added to airports in Jammu and Srinagar.
Similarly, direct flight between Srinagar and Jeddah has been started for the first time for haj pilgrims of Jammu and Kashmir.
While these are some of the first time projects, many of them completed and remaining near completion, there are numrous developmental projects and welfare schemes operational in every state and UT and also availed by all the sections of the society in entire length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir. All these too have been launched during the nine years of PM Narendra Modi’s governance.
Like other parts of the country, development works related to modernisation of existing railway stations, upgradation of road connectivity, construction of highways, ring roads, tunnels, mega power generation projects, are going up on fast pace.
Similarly, Pradhanmantri Awas Yojna, is helping poor people of J&K for constructing new homes as well as converting kucha house into pucca ones. Community and individual toilets are being constructed under Swach Bharat Abhiyan.
Free LPG connections under Ujwala Yojna are given to poor women.
MSP has wtnessed a historical rise of fifty percent to protect farmers from price distortions. They are being issued Soil Health Cards and also getting rupees six thousand in a year under PM Kissan Samman Nidhi.
Ayushman Bharat Health scheme, Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojna, Skill India, Start Up, Khelo India, Mudra Yojna, Beti Bachao Beti Padao, PM Ujala Yojna, are also among list of other schemes aimed to benefit females, poor, youth and J&K too is among beneficiaries.
It will not be wrong to say that the nine years rule under Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has done a lot in every sphere and at all levels for peace, progress and dignified living of every Indian.
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