What has been achieved within the three years for the reason that abrogation of Article 370?
The state reorganisation act of 2019 was fashioned in order that Jammu and Kashmir could possibly be built-in with the remaining of the nation and to make out there the widespread services that had been denied to its folks. Now 800-plus guidelines and services, which weren’t relevant or out there earlier, exist right here. Also, the social standing of Dalits and West Pakistan Refugees was deplorable. Now they’re on an equal footing. Earlier, colleges and schools was once shut for six months. Stone-pelting was rampant. Hartal calendars was once issued. Now we difficulty tutorial calendars. Our broader objective is total integration and we’re engaged on this wholeheartedly.
Cultural parts corresponding to motion pictures and theatre are nonetheless lacking in Kashmir.
The tradition of Jammu and Kashmir has all the time been very wealthy. It is the land of Shaivism, Buddhism, Sufism… there was no place for hatred. But attributable to political causes that narrative acquired modified. There was a time when many Hindi motion pictures had been shot right here. That is coming again. Music and literary festivals are being revived. The Tiranga Yatra below Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav noticed 10,000 folks flying the Tricolour and chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Soft energy is very a lot in play. I’ll quickly inaugurate 10 cinema halls. A 5,000 sq ft mall, developed by UAE-based MR Group, is arising in Srinagar. We are additionally engaged on our misplaced heritage websites that may contain reconstructing and reviving temples in addition to constructing church buildings and mosques.
Kashmiri Pandits are apprehensive after the current assaults on them.
The authorities of India gave 6,000 jobs and sanctioned 6,000 homes for his or her rehabilitation. When I joined in 2020, there have been 3,000 vacancies however some excuse or the opposite was given to disclaim jobs. We fast-tracked the recruitment course of and greater than 2,700 vacancies have been crammed. Similarly, land has been recognized for constructing homes. Tenders for out for all however 700 flats. We will likely be giving 1,200 flats in October. All the homes will likely be allotted in a single and a half years. Also, Kashmiri Pandits have been given jobs in protected locations such because the district headquarters. No one has been posted within the interiors. Their safety considerations have been addressed.
One of their considerations was that they had been employed below a particular package deal. So when different authorities staff acquired promoted, they had been disregarded. Now we’ve got created supernumerary posts that embody gazetted and non-gazetted staff. We have promoted all eligible non-gazetted officers. For gazetted staff, we’ve got despatched suggestions to the JK Public Service Commission. Those appointed in 2009 will likely be promoted in a number of months. We have addressed all their pending points. All that we will will we are doing. Nothing will likely be left to probability about their security and well-being.
Migrant labourers had been additionally killed.
Their households will get Rs 11 lakh every as compensation. The authorities is additionally considering giving jobs to their relations. We have additionally made safety preparations in locations the place they stay. Insurance cowl may also be given to them.
What can the federal government do to supply higher services for the Amarnath Yatra?
I agree that higher services might be offered. The topography is very troublesome. We have developed a facility at Chandanwari for 3,500 pilgrims and related services will quickly come up at different locations. Pilgrims go on foot from Chandanwari. When I went after the current flash floods, I felt a street might be constructed until Baltal. The authorities will quickly undertake a feasibility research and roads much like these on the Char Dham route will likely be offered right here.
The Election Commission (EC) has postponed the publication of the ultimate electoral roll to November 25. The opposition feels that this may assist the BJP.
The EC is a constitutional physique. It will determine when elections will likely be held. The Union residence minister spoke of the timeline in Parliament: first delimitation, then elections and, at an acceptable time, statehood. Now delimitation work is over. Naturally the polls can’t be fought on the 2015 electoral listing. The inhabitants has grown and adjusted in seven years. So the EC is taking a look at new electoral rolls and new polling stations. When the EC is glad, elections will likely be held.
When will J&Okay get full statehood?
The residence minister has given an assurance in Parliament. When the suitable time comes, statehood will likely be granted.
About 25 lakh folks have been added to the voters listing. The opposition is involved that the demography of the voters is being modified to favour the BJP.
The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act got here into power on October 31, 2019. After this, the Representation of the People (RP) Act is relevant right here similar to elsewhere within the nation. One should not neglect that 32,000 outsiders voted right here within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. They had been known as non-permanent residents. They may vote within the Lok Sabha elections, however not within the Vidhan Sabha polls. Under the RP Act, now they’ll vote for Vidhan Sabha as nicely. If the Mufti (Mohammed Sayeed) sahab may battle from UP and grow to be the house minister, then why can’t others vote from Kashmir?
After the delimitation train, Jammu gained six seats whereas just one seat was added in Kashmir. The opposition alleges this was completed to favour the BJP.
The EC fashioned a Delimitation Commission (DC) headed by Justice (retd) Ranjana Desai. On altering the quantity and distribution of proposed seats, they sought recommendations from folks, events and leaders, together with these of the opposition. Five MPs are members of the DC. Three of them are from the National Conference. They had each alternative to boost an objection. After a call has been made, they now give their views and create a problem.
You discuss doubling the GSDP of J&Okay. Which sectors are you focussing on?
First, agriculture and allied sectors, together with sericulture and horticulture — some 70% folks listed here are depending on them. In the final three years, J&Okay has made an enormous leap in these sectors. We are No. 3 in farmers’ per capita revenue, after Punjab and Haryana. From a milk-deficit state, we at the moment are surplus. Saffron is GI-tagged. Basmati rice is being exported in big portions. I’m positive we are going to double the contribution of agriculture to GSDP within the subsequent three years.
Second, personal funding. Till about one and a half years in the past, it was a miniscule Rs 14,000 crore since Independence. On April 24, the ground-breaking ceremony of initiatives value Rs 38,080 crore was completed by the PM. We have obtained proposals for Rs 20,000 crore. We have acquired land for infrastructure initiatives. We are constructing many multi-speciality hospitals and growing MBBS seats as nicely. Many UAE teams are investing right here.
Third, connectivity. Next 12 months, Kashmir will get rail connectivity to Kanyakumari. Now 104 flights are working from Srinagar — from simply 32 two years again. We will likely be specializing in selling tourism and hospitality.
Fourth, we’re bringing in transparency by way of our BEAMS (Budget, Estimation, Allocation & Monitoring System) portal. No work might be completed with out administrative approval, etendering and monetary sanction. Physical verification and geo-tagging are obligatory for all improvement work. People can see on their cellphones the standing of roads being constructed of their villages.
In 2022-23, Rs 22,126 crore has been allotted for district capital expenditure — 2-3 occasions larger for each district. Last 12 months it was Rs 12,600 crore, and the 12 months earlier than Rs 5,134 crore.
Also, we had not absolutely tapped our electrical energy technology capability, which is 18,000-220,000 MW. We are producing solely 3,450 MW. We are attempting to develop our economy on the again of energy technology.
Terrorists nonetheless cross the LoC yearly. Is this a failure of intelligence or the safety forces?
Coordination amongst safety forces is significantly better. We have the higher hand. The notion of folks in direction of the federal government has modified dramatically — earlier peace was purchased (by the federal government); now it is being established. We are attempting not simply to get rid of terrorists however the complete ecosystem.
