Jammu & Kashmir is a top priority for the Modi government, according to the home minister, and elections are expected after delimitation is completed.
On Saturday, Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held when the ongoing delimitation process is completed, and that statehood will be restored after the situation there returns to normal.
“The delimitation procedure has begun.” We shall hold elections after it is completed. Many things have been stated, but I want to remind you that I promised in Parliament that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored. “Statehood would be restored after the situation in Jammu and Kashmir returns to normal,” he remarked, according to PTI, while virtually unveiling India’s first ‘District Good Governance Index.’
Jammu & Kashmir is a priority for the Modi government, according to the home minister, and multipronged efforts are being undertaken for its overall development.
Shah claimed that some people are attempting to confuse the Valley’s residents, and he urged everyone to avoid falling into their trap.
“But to sustain the democracy, peace is required,” he added, insisting that Jammu and Kashmir can only prosper through democracy. I’d like to appeal to the young of Jammu and Kashmir not to be swayed by vested interests’ comments. I want to encourage the youth to have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the administration in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Those who believe the Valley’s land will be usurped should be questioned whose land has been taken away thus far?” he continued. They are attempting to obstruct the progress of Jammu and Kashmir by disseminating such misinformation.”
“Those who predicted an increase in violence were correct. They should be questioned if violence has increased or decreased. They claimed that no investment would come, but in fact, Rs 12,000 crore has already been invested. Tourist arrivals have also increased, and Jammu and Kashmir is progressing,” he reportedly remarked, exhorting the Valley’s young to participate in the development process.
Some political groups were angered by the Panchayati Raj system’s implementation in J&K, and they claimed that law and order had deteriorated since Article 370 was repealed, according to Shah.
“Now, 30,000 people’s representatives (panchayat members) are serving the people. There has been speedy development after the implementation of the Act… there has been 40 per cent reduction in terror-related incidents and 57 per cent reduction in deaths since Article 370 was abrogated. It shows that peace has no connection with the change. Peace has connection with the administration. When people get good administration, people get involved with the administration,” he was quoted as saying.
He also praised the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s efforts and for implementing central government development schemes properly. “People are getting direct benefits. Therefore, naturally, middlemen are upset,” he said.
On tourism, Shah pointed to Jammu and Kashmir’s potential for the same. “This winter, there have been record tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir. This number will keep growing in the coming days,” he said, adding that tourism has direct connection with employment.
According to the home minister, the budget for Jammu and Kashmir has been increased by the Modi government from Rs 9,000 crore to Rs 21,000 crore.
(With inputs from PTI)