‘Elimination of distances of heart, resources our big priority’
Modi launches Rs 20,000 crn worth projects in J&K from Palli
UT presenting new example in development, democracy
Sanjeev Pargal
PALLI (SAMBA), Apr 24: On his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A and conversion of erstwhile State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached out to the youth saying they will not inherit the problems faced by their parents and grandparents.
He said distances whether of hearts, languages, customs or of resources, their elimination is our very big priority today.
Modi was addressing a huge gathering at Palli Panchayat here, about 17 kilometres from Jammu, in Samba district, on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.
Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several projects worth around Rs 20,000 crore for the Union Territory. He also met a business delegation of United Arab Emirates (UAE) as industrial investments in Jammu and Kashmir reached to the tune of around Rs 38,000 crore. The investments are expected to touch Rs 70,000 crore in next six months.
“The youth of the Valley, your father and mother, your dada and dadi, your nana and nani, had lived a life of trouble (museebat). My youth, you will not live such a life of trouble. I assure this,” Modi said in a message to the Kashmiri youth.
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He said that youth of Jammu and Kashmir should trust his word, and highlighted the peace and development initiatives taken by the Government in the past few years.
“Projects worth Rs 20,000 crore related to connectivity and electricity have been inaugurated here today. In a bid to speed up the development in Jammu and Kashmir, many development initiatives are being taken up in the Union Territory,” he said.
Modi said that these initiatives will provide huge employment opportunities to J&K’s youth.
He said that the idea of ”Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” is to focus on bridging distances, asserting that the Government’s aim is to provide “all-weather connectivity” to Jammu and Kashmir.
“When I speak about ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, our focus is on connectivity and bridging distances. Our aim is to provide all-weather connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir. The day is not far away when the Devi of Kanyakumari will meet Vaishno Devi with a single road,” he said.
“Distances, whether of hearts, languages, customs or of resources, their elimination is our very big priority today,” he said.
Thanking the audience for their enthusiasm, the Prime Minister referred to the developments of August 2019 and said in the last 2-3 years, the new dimensions of development have been created in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Modi expressed deep satisfaction and pride that democracy has made its way to grassroots in Jammu and Kashmir. Be it democracy or resolve for development, today Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example,” he said.
For the first time, he said elections to the three-tier Panchayati Raj system- Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and District Development Councils (DDCs) have been held in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to the process of inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir in the development journey of the nation, Modi said more than 175 Central Laws have become applicable in Jammu and Kashmir post August 2019.
“The biggest beneficiaries of this have been the women, poor and deprived section of the area,” he said and also talked about removal of anomalies in the reservation clauses.
“Valmiki Samaj has been freed from the fetters that were put in their feet for decades. Today sons and daughters of every community are able to fulfil their dreams. Those who did not get the benefit of reservation in Jammu and Kashmir for years, are also getting the benefit of reservation now,” he said without mentioning the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A by his government.
Modi said the celebration of National Panchayati Raj day in Jammu and Kashmir marks a big change.
The Prime Minister pointed out that all schemes of the Central Government are being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir and people are being benefited from them.
“People in the villages are the biggest beneficiaries of schemes for LPG, toilets, electricity, land rights and water connections,” he said.
The Prime Minister dwelled on the role of Panchayats in the development of the country and said “this ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence is going to be the golden period of India.
“This resolve is going to be realized by ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s effort). In this, the role of the Gram Panchayat, the most grassroots unit of democracy and all of you colleagues is very important,” he added.
It is the effort of the Government, he stressed, that the role of Panchayat should deepen in planning and implementation of every project related to the development of the village.
“With this, Panchayat will emerge as an important link in the achievement of national resolutions”, he added.
Reiterating his push for natural farming, the Prime Minister said that it is critical to free mother earth of chemicals as it is harming the land and groundwater.
“If our villages move towards natural farming that will benefit entire humanity,” Modi said and asked the farmers to explore how natural farming can be promoted at the level of Gram Panchayats, for this collective efforts are needed.
Similarly, Gram Panchayats will play a major role in combating malnutrition with the help of ‘Sabka Prayas’, he said.
“People on the ground have to be made aware about the initiative taken by the Central Government to save the country from malnutrition and anaemia. Now the rice being given under the Government schemes is being fortified,” he said.
The Prime Minister said 75 sarovars will come up in every district by August 15 in 2023 and urged the concerned that these sarovars should be lined with trees named after the martyrs and freedom fighters.
Modi also elaborated upon the push for transparency and empowerment of Gram Panchayats. “Measures like e-Gram Swaraj are linking processes from planning to payment.”
He said Panchayats will be audited online and a system of citizen charter for all the Gram Sabha is encouraging the ‘Sabhas’ for taking up many roles.
He also highlighted the role of women in these institutions and village governance, especially water governance.
Since the introduction of Constitutional reforms with regards to J&K in August 2019, the Prime Minister said the Government has been focused on bringing about wide-ranging reforms to substantially improve governance and enhance ease of living for the people of the region at an unprecedented pace.
“The projects inaugurated and whose foundation stone was laid will go a long way in facilitating provision of basic amenities, ensuring ease of mobility and development of infrastructure in the region,” he said.
Be it democracy or development, Jammu and Kashmir is setting a new example for the rest of the country. New dimensions of development have been created in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two to three years, the Prime Minister said.
Praising Jammu and Kashmir for showing the way forward for Panchayati Raj, he said that it is a symbol of change that this year the Panchayati Raj Day is being celebrated in the Union Territory.
“It is (a matter of) great pride that I am addressing Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country from Jammu and Kashmir when democracy has reached the grassroots,” Modi said.
Asserting that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing such an event after decades, he said that it is proving an example for the rest of the country.
“Jammu and Kashmir will write a new chapter of development”, he said, adding that Rs 38,000 crore of private investment has been received in the Union Territory in two years as compared to Rs 17,000 crore in the last seven decades.
Earlier, he inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple development projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir, including the opening of the Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel to establish all-weather connectivity between the two regions of the Union Territory.
Modi, who celebrated the Panchayat Raj Diwas at Palli Gram Panchayat in Samba, said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir will get employment opportunities through overall development of the Union Territory.
“The inauguration and laying of foundation of project of Rs 20,000 crores took place today. This will give new impetus to development of Jammu and Kashmir,” Modi said.
He said that it is a big day for speeding up the development of the region. “I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir for this”.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of three road packages of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, being built at a cost of over Rs 7,500 crore, apart from launching ‘Amrit Sarovar’ initiative seeking to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in every district of the country.
Among other projects, Modi also laid foundation stone of Rattle and Kwar hydroelectric projects, a 850 MW facility to be constructed on Chenab river in Kishtwar at a cost of around Rs 5,300 crore, and 540 MW Kwar hydroelectric project to be build on the same river at a cost of over Rs 4,500 crore.
In order to further expand the network of ‘Jan Aushadi Kendras’ in Jammu and Kashmir, and to make good quality generic medicines available at affordable prices, 100 centres were inaugurated by the Prime Minister. These centres are located in remote corners of the Union Territory.
Modi also handed over ‘SVAMITVA’ (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) cards to beneficiaries under the scheme. The cards will give villagers documentary proof of their ownership of properties so that they can use them for financial benefits, if required.
He also digitally transferred prize money of Rs 44.70 crore to the bank accounts of 322 awardee Panchayats across 31 States/UTs in the country which are winners of awards given across different categories.
The prize money ranged from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
Palli becomes Ist
carbon-neutral Panchayat
The nondescript hamlet of Palli in Samba district of Jammu region today became the country’s first ‘carbon-neutral Panchayat’ with Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating to the nation a 500 kilowatt solar plant, installed in a record time of nearly three weeks.
The Prime Minister said that Palli has shown the way to the country by becoming carbon neutral.
“With the inauguration of a 500 KW solar power plant at Palli, it is moving towards becoming the country’s first Panchayat to become carbon-neutral …The people of Palli have demonstrated what ‘Sabka prayas’ can do,” Modi said.
“People of Palli have helped in the project. They have also provided food to people engaged in the project,” he said.
All 1,500 solar panels put up in a total area of 6,408 square metres will provide clean electricity to 340 houses in the model Panchayat under the Central Government’s ‘Gram Urja Swaraj’ programme, officials said.
“It is a red-letter day for us. With the blessings of Narendra Modi, the village has entered into the history of India as the first carbon-neutral solar village. We thank the Prime Minister for choosing this hamlet across the country,” Palli villager Gurdeep Singh said.
From the macadamized roads to the recently launched electric bus service, the village located just 17 km from the winter capital Jammu is witnessing a major transformation with an upgraded Panchayat Ghar, renovated Government high school building, a new pond and improved playfields and electric bus ride.
Palli’s Sarpanch Ravinder Sharma, who interacted with the Prime Minister, told him that village has LED bulbs, solar cookers and solar stoves.
Asked by the Prime Minister whether the village has solar pumps for irrigation of farmlands, Sharma said that 10 such pumps have been installed and 40 more will be installed in the next phase.
Prime Minister asked the villagers to celebrate the birthday of their hamlet after fixing a date for it.
“You should always celebrate the birthday of the village. All people who belong to this village and are living should be called back to participate in the celebrations,” Modi said.
Sharma said that April 24 is the Palli village’s formation day and they will celebrate its birthday.
The Prime Minister suggested to villagers to go for organic farming which will be beneficial for them.
The solar project was completed at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore in a record time, officials said. The electricity generated will be distributed to the village, having a daily requirement of 2,000 units, through the local power grid station.
Sidelights
* The audience, who had started reaching venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Palli Panchayat in Samba district as early as 6 am, were left disappointed as they could not hear the speech of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Dr Jitendra Singh due to some technical snag in the speakers.
*The situation caused some anxious moments among the people at the podium as well as the media gallery and audience who stood up from their seats and moved close to the speakers for a better audio.
*However, Modi’s speech was audible much to the delight of the jam-packed gathering at the large shamiana’s set up with facilities like air conditioners and fans.
*Modi started his over 40 minute speech with Dogri by saying the language of Dogri is sweet and so are the people speaking it.
*Shoorveerain Di Dharti Jammu Ch Saren Bhain Parayen Gi Mera Namaskar. Mithri Aai Dograin Di Boli Tey Khand Mithe Lok Dogre, the Prime Minister said at the start of his speech.
*In a rare gesture, Modi addressed Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh as “Aap Ki Dharti Ki Santaan Aur Mere Saathi”.
*Modi clapped when Dr Jitendra Singh stated that solar plant has been installed in Palli Panchayat in record time of just three weeks to make it first carbon-free Panchayat of the village by the Science and Technology Ministry.
*However, there was no mention of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in the speech of Narendra Modi.
*The Prime Minister handed over SVAMITVA cards to two persons including a woman marking formal launch of the scheme.
*Among the crowd were large number of representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions including many from Kashmir valley and different parts of Jammu division.
*People had started reaching the rally venue as early as 6 am. People had to travel nearly two kilometers to reach the venue as vehicles were stopped behind as security measure and avoid congestion.
Sea of humanity
turns up at village
A sea of humanity turned up to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in his first public appearance in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370 giving special status to the erstwhile State and its bifurcation into two Union Territories in August 2019.
Though Modi visited border areas of Rajouri district of Jammu region to celebrate Diwali with Army troops twice on October 27, 2019 and November 3, 2021, his visit to Palli Panchayat, 17 kilometres from Jammu, on the occasion of the National Panchayati Raj Day was marked with massive sloganeering in his support by enthusiastic participants.
The organizers had made arrangements for over one lakh people at the sprawling fields to accommodate the people who turned up in large numbers since early morning from all parts of the Union Territory. Thousands of Panchs, Sarpanchs, Block and District Development Council members and members of Urban Local Bodies from Kashmir also attended the event.
Both Mayors, Chander Mohan Gupta (Jammu) and Junaid Azim Mattu (Srinagar), along with senior BJP leaders including UT president Ravinder Raina, former ministers and legislators were also among the audience.
A group of Pahari-speaking people were seen chanting slogans in support of the demand for Scheduled Tribute status, while many youngsters were on their tenterhooks throughout chanting “Modi Modi”.
“This is the love of the people from all sections of the society for their Prime Minister… the people love Modi from the core of their heart and have turned up in large numbers to welcome him,” Raina said.
Naseema, a BJP’s Pahari activist from Tangdhar in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district said they are hopeful of getting the Scheduled Tribe status under the Modi Government along with early construction of the Sadna tunnel to facilitate round-the-year traffic to the border town
“We also want the Government to turn border villages into model villages. The roads on the other side of the border are in good condition compared to our roads…a message needs to be conveyed to Pakistan by constructing better roads and providing other facilities,” Sartaj, a Panch from Tangdhar said.
DDC Poonch member Choudhary Afzal Gani said it is a proud moment for the people of J&K that Prime Minister has chosen J&K for the observance of the National Panchayati Raj Day but the Government needs to do more for full empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions otherwise the dream of grassroots democracy cannot be fulfilled.
Ashok Kumar Parihar, another DDC member from Drabshalla in Kishtwar district, said the Prime Minister is well aware of the issues and problems of J&K and “we are hopeful that he will take J&K to new heights of development as promised by him.”
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