PM isolated terror ecosystem through development: Sinha
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 23: Union Tourism Minister G K Reddy today said that Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India, and Pakistan has no right to talk about it and should rather pay attention towards its own people.
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Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting at the SKICC here, Reddy said Pakistan was battling a crisis and should focus on its own plight.
“Whatever we do is for the benefit of our people. Who is Pakistan to say anything? What right does it have? J&K has been a part of India since Independence. This is our land, these are our people, and thousands of people have sacrificed their lives for it. Who is Pakistan to say anything?” the Minister asked.
Reddy said Pakistan should pay attention to itself and do something for the betterment of its people. “Provide them employment, food. Why are you talking about us? You have no right. Pakistan is battling a crisis, people are dying of hunger, they do not get rice or gas, so it should focus there,” he said.
He asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were happy. The Centre was doing everything for them and would continue to do so in the future as well, he added.
“There is no need to give importance to what Pakistan says. Pakistan is finished. We do not have to think about Pakistan. We have to think about the people of J&K,” the Minister said.
Reddy said that the G20 meetings are being held in several parts across the country, and choosing Srinagar as the venue is a part of it.
“Previously, the situation was not conducive, but now there has been an overall change. The people of J&K desire progress and have the necessary infrastructure, seeking employment opportunities. They have expectations and are looking forward to this event,” he said.
“Under the guidance of PM Modi, we are leading J&K towards growth and progress. Last year, tourism contributed to 7% of J&K’s GDP. Our aim is to increase it to 15% this year, with the conduct of the G20 event playing a crucial role,” he said.
The Minister said that no one can ever separate J&K from India, and Opposition leaders should understand the need to work together to ensure progress and development in J&K.
“Some of them may want to create law and order issues here, but I want to make it clear that the Modi Government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and is committed to the betterment of the people. These individuals must support and cooperate in making J&K a better place, or else they should stay at home,” he said.
Reddy said India will hold a tourism summit to discuss the investments in popular tourist States like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
“We have to project India as the number-one destination globally. Private investment is necessary and without it, a huge country like India with such a huge population and lakhs of destinations cannot increase tourism,” he said.
“The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government wants people from across the world to come and invest in tourist destinations to make them world-class,” the Minister said.
Reddy said meetings like in Srinagar would take place in the capitals of all States. He said 250 meetings will take place in 56 cities under the presidentship of India.
“It was decided to organise this meeting in Srinagar, which is a historic city. However, some precautions had to be taken because it is after so many years that such an event is taking place here. J&K has seen many incidents, there were different problems in J&K, but now, the atmosphere is great here.
“People want development in J&K, they want infrastructure, employment generation at par with the rest of India. That is what the common people of J&K hope and expect. That is why we are taking J-K on the path of progress under the vision of PM Modi,” Reddy said.
He said the meeting will deliberate on the steps to be taken in order to double tourism’s contribution to Jammu and Kashmir’s GDP.
“Last year, tourism contributed seven per cent of J&K’s GDP. How to take it to 15 per cent this year and how to increase employment avenues, this meeting will discuss that. The G20 meeting will not only benefit J&K, but the whole country,” the Minister said.
He also expressed gratitude to the people and the government of Jammu and Kashmir for supporting the meeting. “In the times to come, Srinagar will become the number-one destination for tourists not only from India but from across the world and we will work towards that along with the people of J&K,” he added.
On PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks that the BJP has hijacked the G20 meeting, Reddy said some opposition parties did not want peace in the Union Territory.
“Today, developmental works are happening at a faster pace for the first time since Independence. So, I appeal to opposition parties for support, and if you cannot support, then sit silently at home and do not become a hurdle,” he added.
The Minister further said no one can separate Jammu and Kashmir from the rest of India, and accused the opposition parties of insulting the people of the UT.
“We will together take J&K on the path of development. You should not insult J&K or its people. They (opposition parties) want law-and-order problems here, terror problems, hartals, people involved in AK47 and RDX. They do not want peace,” he claimed.
“The Government’s priority is peace and it will work with zero-tolerance on the issue of terrorism,” he added.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Third G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting at SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that Jammu and Kashmir reflects multi-cultural ethos of India and the administration led by him has revived film tourism under the film policy 2021 to open the gates of paradise for Bollywood and Hollywood.
The LG said the administration has rolled-out film policy in 2021 to open gates for Bollywood and Hollywood.
“In 2022, more than 300 films and serials were shot in J&K. We have included hundreds of new tourist destinations on the UT’s tourist map. Many tourist destinations are already on the global map. In 2022, 18 million tourists visited J&K contributing 7 per cent to the total GDP of the UT,” he said.
Sinha said that the administration has not just explored the new tourist destinations but started home stays in various beautiful villages. “J&K youth are scripting a bright future. The UT reflects the cultural ethos of India,” he said.
“J&K is being developed as a digital society. In the last financial year, 92500 projects were completed. The region is witnessing a great transformation. He said the suggestions that have come to fore in the G-20 meetings that entail green tourism, eco-tourism and S&MEs have already been started by the J&K administration,” he said.
The LG said that he was hopeful that the delegates enjoyed the serene and mesmerising beauty of the famous Dal Lake.
“For the last 30 years, this land of peaceful coexistence of almost all religions had to suffer state sponsored terrorism by our neighbouring country,” he said.
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