Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today reached out to militants in the Valley and asked them to shun violence and said that the Union Territory government will provide jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities to the misled Kashmiri youth.
Addressing a gathering at Shirmal, Shopian in southern Kashmir on the eve of implementation of Phase 3 of ‘Back to Village’ program, the J&K LG said: “The occasion of 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, also celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence is an opportunity for the people of India to reflect upon his commitment to the principle of non-violence and I urge the misguided youth to shun violence and return to the mainstream.”
“The government is ready to help all with jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities’ said Sinha while launching the J&K government’s ambitious- Back to Village-3 programme from Shirmal, Shopian.
He added that the people of J&K, especially the youth want to tread the path of progress and development and the government is committed to making J&K a role model of development and prosperity. “We will empower youth and strengthen PRIs,” he said.
The LG remembered the bond that Mahatma Gandhi shared with villages and said that Back to Village 3 is a tribute to his bond and aspirations with respect to villages. Village development will add to the nation’s development, he said.
The LG termed villages as the lifeline of India and stressed on the need for their development.
Speaking on Back to Village-3, which starts from today, the Lt Governor called it a bridge between the public and the administration. Sharing his dream of making villages equally developed as the cities, he said that the government is persistently delivering services and helping them join the mainstream. “Efforts are being made to make villages Atmanirbhar,” he added.
Reiterating the government’s commitment for overall development of villages, the J&K LG said that nobody would need to leave one’s village to seek education or livelihood in the near future.
“I have been personally witnessing equitable change at village as well as sub-division level during my last 12 districts tours, and have conducted review meetings to gear up slow-paced incomplete works. After inspecting ground implementation of governmental initiatives, directions have been passed with respect to all essential services like power, cooking gas and ration, etc., Raj Bhavan helicopter has also been delegated for emergency cases, if needed. People’s cooperation is vital for development, peace and prosperity in the region,” he said.
Sinha informed that two candidates from every panchayat are to be identified and assisted by the Special Desk of Jammu & Kashmir Bank. With sufficient handholding, 8500 of such youth would be turned into entrepreneurs. Similarly, sports kits are also being provided to every panchayat under B2V3, he said.
A robust Industrial policy is in offing, which will be among one of the best in the country and will prove to be a new model of development, besides providing immense opportunity to youth with special focus on girl empowerment, the LG said.
“In a major step towards the overall welfare of residents of J&K and facilitating affordable healthcare facilities, the UT Government has recently announced the Jammu and Kashmir Health Scheme in order to provide universal health Insurance coverage to all the residents of the Union Territory,” the LG said.
In the coming days, said the Lt Governor, attention is to be given to animal husbandry and sheep husbandry which shall help generate around 50 thousand self-employments. Other areas of focus shall be Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries, Agriculture and allied sectors, he said.
He stressed on better road connectivity of all major roads with special focus on connectivity of Regional Head Quarters to District Head Quarters.
“Instructions have been passed for replacing damaged Transformers within 24 hours,” he said.
He also announced that winter preparedness stock will be ready by October 15. “Playground in every panchayat will be established to motive the youth to indulge in sports activities. Genuine demands and grievances shall be addressed on merit,” he added.
-ARK
