Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today said that he and his administration will be focusing on a five point agenda in the years ahead — transparency in governance, grassroot level democracy, peoples welfare, accelerated development and creation of employment opportunities for youth.
Speaking on the occasion of 74th Independence Day function, at the highly fortified Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, the newly appointed J&K LG said that he and his team of officers in the administration will fully focus on these five targets.
While greeting the people of J&K, LG Sinha recalled the sacrifices offered by countless freedom fighters and paid tributes to them. “This day inspires us to preserve and protect the Independence & integrity of our country & create a poverty, disease and illiteracy free society,” he said.
Sinha remembered the times of honoured tradition of J&K from Kalhan’s Rajtarangini to Shankaracharya’s Advaita, Sufi Islam to Buddhist philosophy of Mahayana reflected in the peaceful and syncretic co-existence in the inhabitants of this land.
“Youth have the power of transformation, my own student life was marked with activism,” he said and asked youth of J&K to direct their activism towards development as future leaders of the country.
He said that the 2019 constitutional change has led to 50 decisions to usher in a new era of normalcy and development in J&K.
Giving details, the J&K LG said that the new Domicile rules shall provide equality, justice to the deprived like West Pakistan refugees, pahari speaking safaikaramcharis and women married outside of J&K. “Reservation policy is also being made more effective,” he added.
The LG further said that application of 73rd & 74th amendments have led to democracy at the grassroot level in the Union Territory, ‘Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikas’ played a key role in people’s participation. In addition to this, pension benefits have been provided to more than 7 lakh people, including transgender.
LG said that J&K is at the forefront of the implementation of PM Jan Arogya Yojna – Ayushman Bharat with 30 lakh beneficiaries. The Centre is planning to extend benefits of J&K health scheme to at least 1 crore more beneficiaries.
Highlighting the development work, LG Sinha said that long pending work is being completed; Rambagh Flyover in Srinagar has been completed along with the work on Jammu Ring Road, Akhnoor Road, Pakal-Dul Hydro-Electric Project. Furthermore, Kiru and Ratle power projects have been expedited.
-CHK
