Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that it was a landmark day in the development journey of Jammu and Kashmir.
He thanked the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their enthusiasm.
Prime Minister said, due to his long association with the state, he understands the issues involved and expressed happiness about the focus on connectivity in the projects inaugurated and for which foundation stone was laid today.
“Projects worth 20 thousand crore rupees related to connectivity and electricity have been inaugurated and the foundation stone has been laid here.
To give a new impetus to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, work is going on at a fast pace.These efforts will provide employment to a large number of youths of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said.
Today many families have also got property cards of their houses in villages.These ownership cards will inspire new possibilities in the villages.
100 Jan Aushadhi Kendras will become a medium to provide affordable medicines and surgical items to the poor and middle class families of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Prime Minister pointed out that all schemes of the central government are being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir and people are being benefitted from them.
People in the villages are the biggest beneficiaries of schemes for LPG, toilets, electricity, land rights and water connections.
Before arriving at the dais, Prime Minister met delegations from UAE.
Prime Minister said that a new story of development is being written and many private investors are interested in Jammu and Kashmir.
For 7 decades of independence, private investment of only Rs 17 thousand crore could be made in Jammu and Kashmir. But now it is reaching around Rs 38,000 crore. Tourism also is thriving once again, Prime Minister noted.
Prime Minister underlined the changed system of working in the Jammu and Kashmir, by giving example of the 500 KW solar plant that is being established in three weeks whereas earlier even the movement of file from Delhi used to take 2-3 weeks.
He said all houses of Palli Panchayat getting solar power is a perfect example of Gram Urja Swaraj and the changed way of working will take Jammu and Kashmir to new heights.
Prime Minister gave assurance to the youth of Jammu. He said “friends, believe my words, youth of the valley mark my words, the difficulties faced by your parents and grandparents, you will not face those problems. This I will accomplish and I have come to assure you of that.”
Narendra Modi referred to India’s leadership on international environmental and climate change platforms and expressed pride in the strides that Palli Panchayat is making towards becoming first carbon neutral panchayat.
“Palli Panchayat is moving towards becoming the first Carbon Neutral Panchayat in the country. Today, I have also got an opportunity to interact with the people’s representatives of the villages of the country, in the village of Palli.
Many congratulations to Jammu and Kashmir for this big achievement and development works,” he said.
Prime Minister said that “celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day in Jammu and Kashmir marks a big change.” He expressed deep satisfaction and pride that democracy has made way to grass roots in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Be it democracy or resolve for development, today Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example. In the last 2-3 years, new dimensions of development have been created in Jammu and Kashmir”, Prime Minister stressed.
For the first time, elections to the three-tier Panchayati Raj system- Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and DDC have been held in Jammu and Kashmir, official release said.
Referring to the process of inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir in the development journey of the nation, Prime Minister informed that more than 175 central laws have become applicable in Jammu and Kashmir.
Biggest beneficiaries of this have been the women, poor and deprived section of the area.
He also talked about removal of anomalies in the reservation clauses. “Valmiki Samaj has been freed from the fetters that were put in their feet for decades.Today sons and daughters of every community are able to fulfil their dreams.
Those who did not get the benefit of reservation in Jammu and Kashmir for years, are also getting the benefit of reservation now”, he said.
Referring to his vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat’, Prime Minister explained that the vision focuses on connectivity and elimination of distances.
“Distances, whether of hearts, languages, customs or of resources, their elimination is our very big priority today”, he added.
Prime Minister dwelled on the role of Panchayats in the development of the country and said “This ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence is going to be the golden period of India.
This resolve is going to be realized by Sabka Prayas.In this, the role of the Gram Panchayat, the most grassroots unit of democracy and all of you colleagues is very important”, he said..
It is the effort of the government, he stressed, that the role of Panchayat should deepen in planning and implementation of every project related to the development of the village.
“With this, Panchayat will emerge as an important link in the achievement of national resolutions”, he added.
Prime Minister said that 75 sarovars will come up in every district by 15 August in 2023.
He urged that these sarovars should be lined with trees named after the martyrs and freedom fighters.
Narendra Modi also elaborated upon the push for transparency and empowerment of Gram Panchayats.
Measures like e-Gram Swaraj are linking processes from planning to payment. Panchayats will be audited online and a system of citizen charter for all the Gram Sabha is encouraging the Sabhas for taking up many roles.
He also highlighted the role of women in these institutions and village governance especially water governance.
Reiterating his push for natural farming, Prime Minister said that it is critical to free mother earth of chemicals as it is harming the land and groundwater.
He said if our villages move towards natural farming that will benefit entire humanity. He asked to explore how natural farming can be promoted at the level of Gram Panchayats, for this collective efforts are needed.
Similarly, Gram Panchayats will play a major role in combating malnutrition with the help of ‘SabkaPrayas’.
“People on the ground have to be made aware about the initiative taken by the central government to save the country from malnutrition and anemia. Now the rice being given under the government schemes is being fortified”, he informed.
Since the introduction of constitutional reforms with regards to J&K in August 2019, government has been focussed on bringing about wide ranging reforms to substantially improve governance and enhance ease of living for the people of the region at an unprecedented pace.
Projects inaugurated and whose foundation stone was laid will go a long way in facilitating provision of basic amenities, ensuring ease of mobility and development of infrastructure in the region.
