Lauding the ‘Purple Revolution’ in the region for bringing in a culture of Agri-preneurship among the youth along with enhancing income security, the Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh highlighted the potential of Jammu and Kashmir to become the power hub of north India. The minister talked about the transformation that has happened broadly at the democratic, governance, development and security levels in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, during an interview with Doordarshan News.
“The unexplored natural resources and dormant human resources within J&K have emerged on the surface, the latest example being that of the "Purple Revolution" originating from Bhaderwah in Doda district which has given India a new genre of Agri-StartUps and holds the promise of contributing significant value addition to India's economy,” the minister highlighted.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions talked about development in the regions at four levels.
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, the union minister said that Jammu and Kashmir is set to emerge as the torchbearer of India’s future growth story.
The minister while underscoring the Infrastructure development in the region, said “The World’s Tallest Rail Bridge over Chenab River is present in J and K. The previous governments neglected the railway network development, he said. He also recalled how the hydropower projects were stalled for years and made operational post-2014 after PM Modi took over and soon Kishtwar will emerge as a Power hub.”
At the governance level, Singh recalled that the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Panchayat Act were introduced by the Congress government at the Centre but not made applicable in J and K by the same Congress coalition government in the State. Democratic decentralisation could not take place as central funds were not available to them before 2019, he said.
Speaking on the recent incidents, he said that the terrorists are on the run and keep attacking soft targets just to stay relevant but soon that too will be contained. Singh explained that pattern-based militancy has reduced and remarked that we are in the last phase of militancy.
Highlighting the peace and tranquillity in the region, Singh said that around 2.5 crore tourists, domestic as well as international, have visited Kashmir in the last two years. The successful meetings of G20 at Srinagar are also testimony of it.
At the democratic level, the minister stated that the Pakistan refugees who settled in J and K were deprived of voting rights for seven decades despite two of them going on to become the Prime Minister of India, naming I.K Gujral and Man Mohan Singh.
He also highlighted that Udhampur is featured among the top three districts in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). PM Awas has restored people’s faith in Government. The minister clarified that Services are provided to the needy irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Highlighting Kathua’s development, the minister said that it is emerging as a new Industrial Hub. The minister also mentioned about the IIT, AIIMS, IIM and central universities in the region which have started in recent times.
