Days Gone When Polls Were Rigged In J&K: LG
Says Nobody Will Be Allowed To Hijack Democracy Unlike Past
Budgam: Stating that the security forces have been given clear-cut directions “not to touch any innocent”, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday said elections in J&K will be held in a transparent manner first time and nobody will be allowed to “hijack democracy” as seen in the past.
Addressing a public gathering at Beerwah here, the LG said that gone are the days when elections were rigged and democracy hijacked in J&K.
“Everything is taking place in a transparent manner. Whenever elections are held in J&K, the process will be held in a transparent manner as well for the first time. Nobody will be allowed to hijack democracy as seen in the past,” he said.
The LG said that “clear-cut directions” have been passed to the security agencies and “I can tell you with full authority, no innocent will be touched by the security agencies in J&K.”
Taking a jibe at the previous governments, Sinha said that people were given hollow promises and tall claims in the past.
“Things changed immensely after 2019. Our motive has been to serve people and to come up to the expectations of the masses. Every challenge has been turned into opportunities,” he said, adding that before 2019, development was confined to few families. Lot of promises were made but they were never fulfilled,”
He said the pace of development was so slow in J&K as many projects were languishing in the past five, ten, fifteen and even twenty years. “We have inaugurated 1500 such projects worth Rs 2500 Crore,” the LG said.
Sinha said that before 2019, jobs were given to only influential people and the poor were left alone. “Impression was given to the people that there was nothing beyond government jobs. Backdoor appointments were the first priority of previous regimes,” he said.
“In the past three years, 30,000 people were given jobs. Not a single person got the job through a backdoor channel. “Seven lakh people were given training to become entrepreneurs in the past three years,” he added.
The LG said that the G-20 event in Srinagar has sent a message across the world that J&K is not thinking about the past anymore and moving ahead on the path of peace and prosperity.
He urged people to isolate the elements who are trying to disrupt peace.
The LG also said that in the last 34 months, the effort of his administration has been to build Jammu and Kashmir of people's dream and fulfill the aspirations of all sections of society so they can contribute to the nation's progress.
“From roads
to healthcare, we are seeing the beginning of a qualitative change and growth in infrastructure that has given new hope and confidence to all sections of society, improved investment climate and scripted J & K’s bright future,” he said.
The LG said the transformation journey of all the districts of J&K over the last three years is the reflection of the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UT Government to convert the challenges into opportunities and ushered in a new era of progress and prosperity.
“We have ensured that benefits of growth reach all sections and improve the life of common man,” Sinha said.
“Not only speed of project execution increased ten times but also the projects delayed for decades are being completed at a faster pace. We have completed 1500 such projects at a cost of Rs 2500 crores which were pending for 5 to 20 years,” he added.
Maintaining that with greater commitment and accountability in the system, his administration have taken decisive steps to empower youth, women, artisans and farmers, the LG said that a number of measures to address challenges in agriculture and allied sectors will improve productivity, infrastructure and stimulate crop diversification.
Sinha also underscored the measures undertaken for creation of infrastructure in agriculture and allied sector, increasing employment opportunities, connecting youth with agriculture, promoting Agriculture startups, and bringing prosperity in the lives of small and marginal farmers.
“The people of J&K and the representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions are working shoulder to shoulder with the administration in promoting Ease of Living and creating an Aspirational Society. This is the right time for J&K to move ahead and make significant contributions in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, the LG also lauded the PRI members and District Administration for their commitment and dedication towards the welfare of the people.
“Budgam is rapidly achieving allround development and it has been possible because of the hard work, competence, integrity and excellent coordination between PRIs and district administration,” he said.
He highlighted several infrastructure projects of unprecedented magnitude undertaken by the District Administration.
“These projects are being implemented at an unprecedented speed for ease of living and to evolve a holistic strategy to transform Budgam into a hub of education and entrepreneurship,” he added.
At Beerwah, the LG also made some important announcements including the allocation of 5000 new houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to the District by the J&K Administration within a period of one week.
“Prestigious NIFT institute is also coming up at Budgam,” he said, adding “By the end of this month, 100% digitization of land records of Budgam will be done; besides 70% households in the district will be connected with the tap water connection. I am hopeful that by the month of December, all the households of the district will get Nal se Jal,”
The LG also assured funding for promotion of Beerwah caves as tourist destinations, and early completion of recruitment process for Anganwadi Sangini and Sahayika.
“The long pending demand of the people of Budgam for district hospital is being fulfilled and 71 kanal of land has been identified for the district hospital. Soon tendering process will be completed and work will be started in the coming three months,” he said, adding that land has also been allotted for setting up the campus of the Cluster University in the district, he noted.
The LG reiterated the commitment of the administration to address the developmental issues and concerns of the people.
He said that Chewdara Primary Health Center taken up under the languishing project by JKIDFC will be made operational soon to benefit 30,000 people.
:Apart from this, Primary Health Centers at Nowpora, Talpora, Hanjura, Aripanthan and Nursing Hostel of Charare-Sharif have also been completed under the Languishing Project,” Sinha said.
“The work on the ring road project and Multi-level parking is going on at a fast pace. It is being ensured that all the projects are completed within the time frame,” he added.
The LG also shared the vision for developing Budgam’s three important tourist destinations - Tosamaidan, Doodh Pathri and Yusmarg as modern and national level tourist destinations to increase tourist influx which will promote local business and boost the local economy.
He also appreciated District Administration, Police and PRI members for their efforts in making Budgam drug-free.