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Chairman TJAC Tehsil Mandi appreciate the work of Branch Manager J&K Bank Mandi.

Adil Hamdani

Mandi, February 17:–Chairman Teacher Joint Action Committee Tehsil Mandi appreciated the role of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Manager Mandi Mohsin Hamdani and his staff members for their dedication and sincerity.

Ansari said, that there is a shortage of staff in J&K Bank Branch Mandi, as we have many times appealed the higher authorities to fill the vacancy but their response is not good.Ansari and his team demamds two more ATM machines for Mandi Town.Teacher association Tehsil Mandi thanked Bank Manager and his staff members for their public loving attitude.Ansari said, that scholarship of students has been credited by the efforts of J&K Bank staff Mandi.

February 17, 2021
Swachhta drive launched in GMC&AH Rajouri

Rajouri,February 17:– The sanitation wing of Government Medical College and Associated Hospital Rajouri on Wednesday launched a Swachhta drive in the Hospital premises, which was joined by large no. of ANMT Students (Trainees) with an aim to promote cleanliness in the vital health institution.

The cleanliness drive was launched on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Rajesh K Shavan and successfully conducted under the supervision of Principal GMC Dr. Kuldeep Singh.

ANMT Students along with the Sanitation workers of the hospital carried out the drive in different departments and wards of the hospital wherein Students were also seen cleaning the areas, to ensure better hygiene.

Pertinently, the Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan, visited the hospital after assuming the charge. He pointed out many deficiencies in sanitation and hygiene in the hospital. The displeasure of Deputy Commissioner was conveyed to the authorities. Acting upon the same, Hospital authorities have been showing exemplary improvement and the District administraton is also giving full backup.

District administration Rajouri believes that cleanliness is a basic need of every health institution and is a prerequisite for better patient health care and Swachhta drive was launched with the same aim.

District adminsitration has extended all necessary support to make the Institution an exemplary one, through Supportive supervison by involving all concerned stakeholders.

Sources informed that, with the intervention of District Administration, visible impact of Cleanliness is being seen and it shall spread the message of cleanliness and sanitation in the society and shall also let people to understand that cleanliness is a serious issue and its the prime duty of each individual to keep his/her surroundings neat and clean.

Interactive sessions are also being held with Nursing staff and Sanitation Staff to sensitize them for maintaining best hygiene in the Institution and the same shall be replicated all over the District.

February 17, 2021
Govt begins exercise for imposition of Property Tax through ULBs Circle rate to be key determinant of value of property *Step to help in availing Rs 503 cr addl borrowings from GoI

JAMMU, February 16: –In a move which may not be welcomed by the people but has become compulsion to get additional borrowings from the Centre, the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has started an exercise for the imposition of Property Tax through Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees).

Moreover, Property Tax Board will be constituted shortly on the recommendations of the Housing and Urban Development Department to deal with all the aspects relating to assessment and valuation of properties across the Union Territory.

This can be gauged from the notification dated February 12, 2021 issued by Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Jammu and Kashmir Property Tax Board Act, 2013, the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000 and the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, the Government hereby directs that for the levy of Property Tax on any land or building, the value of land as notified in terms of Jammu and Kashmir Preparation and Revision of Market Value Guideline Rules, 2011 (circle rate) shall be a key determinant of the value of the property apart from the nature of construction, the kind of use, the age of the property or any other relevant consideration”, read the notification.

The Property Tax Board, or as the case may be, the Municipal Corporation, the Municipal Council or Municipal Committee concerned shall ensure that the value of land so notified is adequately factored in while determining the unit area values for the levy of Property Tax.

“Imposition of Property Tax is one of the pre-conditions fixed by the Government of India for availing 2% additional borrowings under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and this issue was debated in a number of meetings of the Committee of Secretaries chaired by the Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam in the recent past”, sources said, adding “with the imposition of Property Tax, the J&K Government would be able to get Rs 503 crore from the Government of India”.

In the month of October last year, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had empowered the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to impose Property Tax through the Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees in their respective areas.

The powers were vested by way of several amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000 and Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000 carried through the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020.
In the J&K Municipal Act, 2000 whereby the Municipal Councils and Committees have been established, the Ministry of Home Affairs has substituted Sections 72 to 80 and new Section 72 states: “Unless exempted under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, Property Tax shall be levied on all lands and buildings or vacant lands or both situated within the Municipal area. The Property Tax shall be levied at such percentage not exceeding 15 per cent of the taxable annual value of land and building or vacant land or both as the Government may, by notification, from time to time specify”.

Similarly, Section 73 reads: “The taxable annual value of land and building or vacant land assessable to taxes under this Act shall be calculated by multiplying the corresponding unit area value with the total build-up area of a building or the total area of land, as the case may be, minus depreciation, at such rates as may be prescribed, depending on the age of the building”.

However, a proviso has been incorporated vide which the Municipality may, after passing a resolution, fix a lump sum amount not exceeding the sum payable as annual tax for certain categories of properties. However, the resolution shall come into effect only after it is approved by the Government.

The Property Tax payable shall be reduced by 25 percent in respect of a self-occupied building used for residential purpose and such class of self-occupied non-residential building as may be notified by the Government on the recommendation of the Municipality. Moreover, there is a provision vide which a person liable to pay the Property Tax shall pay the same in two equal instalments.

“Every owner or occupier, who is liable to pay Property Tax, shall every year submit to the Executive Officer or any officer authorized by him in this behalf a return in the prescribed form within the stipulated period and in the prescribed manner”, the new Sections read. Moreover, there is a provision for scrutiny of the return filed and in case of non-compliance action will be initiated.

Similar provisions have also been incorporated by way of amendments in Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act where-under the Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations have been established.
As per Jammu and Kashmir Property Tax Board Act, the Government may by notification establish the Board, which shall be corporate body and competent to acquire, hold and dispose of any property both movable and immovable to enter into contracts and to do all things necessary for the purposes of the Act.
The Board shall consist of a Chairperson and such number of members not exceeding two as may be determined by the Government. The Chairperson shall be the person who is or has been an officer of the Government not below the rank of Commissioner/Secretary.

The other members shall be persons having knowledge and experience in the field of municipal administration, valuation of properties, accountancy, law and management.(By Daily Excelsior)

February 16, 2021
DDC Rajouri holds public durbar at Sunderbani;Issues on spot directions for redressal of grievances

Rajouri,February,16: Deepening further the massive outreach initiative of District Administration,the District Development Commissioner Rajouri, Rajesh K Shavan on Tuesday listened to the public issues in a Public Grievances Redressal camp here at Sunderbani.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sunderbani, Vinod Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police, Girdhari Lal Sharma, District Program Officer, Kartar Singh; Chief Education Officer ,Gulzar Hussain; Assistant Commissioner Development, Sushil Khajuria, EXN PWD Nowshera, Prem Kapoor; EXN PMGSY, Subash Chander Sharma; and other District and Sectoral Officers.

People drawn from various sections of society including social activists,PRIs,prominent citizens , Retired Government Employees,and common masses from Sunderbani and adjoining areas thronged the Public outreach camp and put forward a number of issues pertaining to them.

Prominent among them includes, DDC Councillor from sunderbani, Rajinder Sharma; DDC Councillor Seri, Sangeeta Sharma; Chairman MC Sunderbani, Rajinder Sharma; Vice Chairman MC Sunderbani, Mohan Lal Sharma, BDC Chairman Suit, Balkrishan Sharma and other Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area.

They apprised the DDC about developmental issues of their respective areas including inadequate water supply,macadamization and renovation of roads,upgradation of schools,better health services and related issues were projected during the programme and many of them were resolved on the spot with the intervention of the concerned departments.

Specific issues and demands projected on the occasion include; resurfacing of the Kalideh Kuldabi Road; irregular water supply; replacement of old and obsolete water pipes and taking over the old building of Milk Chilling plant.

The other issues repair of irrigation khuls of the area; paucity of the staff at pumping stations; Quality cocoon seeds to be provided to the cocoon rearers; deployment of Medical officers; Sanctioning of PHC centres in the remote areas; Sanctioning of Animal Husbandry Sub centers;and issues pertaining to the forest department.

The public also demanded the special Aadhaar registration centres for the border inhabitants; functioning of Jk Bank Branch at Tehsil Beripattan; operationalization of the Beripattan Lift Irrigation Scheme; Separate Mobile water tankers for the border inhabitants and results of the IV class.

The Public demanded better interior road connectivity,tractors roads.The major roads discussed today includes Thumba Road; Nalla to Phid Road;Galla to Battal road,Devak to Bambliya and Laiter to Kalidab Road.

Other issues like fencing of school buildings, upgradation of the School ; functioning of the niabats; sports infrasy for the youths of Sunderbani and adjoining areas; Completion of GDC Sunderbani buildings; deployment of police personnel at the gate of the GDC Sunderbani; buffer stock of PHE and PDD machinery.

Completion of panchayat Ghara, Pending MGNREGA payments, PMAY payments and inclusion of genuine beneficiaries in the list; wooden bridges to be replaced by the culverts ; funding under TSP; permission to carry out minor developmental works under forest areas, FRA issues are some of the issues which were raised by the public.

The Public also demanded the opening bid blood bank; fire station at Sunderbani; payments of PMGSY compensation and Payment of rent of lands occupied by the Army.

Meanwhile, the DDC had a patient hearing of the grievances and issued on spot directions to the concerned for their redressal.

While addressing the public on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner asked the officers of the district and Sub division administration to address the issues at grass root level and assert themselves in resolving local issues of public importance.

He particularly impressed upon them to show keen interest in ensuring quality of developmental works in rural pockets.

The Deputy commissioner also directed the Officers of PHE and PDD to carry out the house to house survey and assess the needs of the public and resolve them on priority basis.

Moreover DDC Rajouri appealed to the elected members of PRI’s to provide cooperation and maintain coordination with the administration to enhance the process of development in the region and assured them that issues raised by them will be resolved with utmost importance. The Deputy Commissioner also said that the district administration is committed to provide all the basic facilities to the public and will ensure that the last soul should be benefited with the centrally/ UT sponsored scheme.

He informed that the District Administration has launched a unique initiative of Lok Mitra’s in the district which will act as a bridge between the Administration and the Public.

The Deputy Commissioner also informed that in order to monitor the activities in the schools the District Administration has devised a first if its kind initiative Rajouri School Information System which will be launched next week.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner Sunderbani to make a record of the applications received today for tracking of the applications.

The Deputy commissioner also inspected the progress of work at Government Girls Higher secondary School and passed on standing instructions to the executive agency to complete the building in all respects by 25th of March 2021.

The Deputy commissioner directed the Executive Engineer PWD to start the double shift work on the GDC Sunderbani Building to complete the project at the earliest.

The Deputy Commissioner also visited the SDH Sunderbani bani and interacted with the doctors and paramedics staff.

February 16, 2021
Arrangements for Mega Awareness cum Exhibition Mela of KVIB on 20, 21 Feb. finalised in Rajouri

Rajouri,February,15:Deputy Commissioner Rajouri,Rajesh K Shavan on Monday convened a meeting with the concerned officers to discuss and finalize the arrangements for Mega Awareness cum Exhibition Mela of the Khadi Village Industries Board to be held on 20 and 21 Feb 2021.

The Mega Awareness cum Exhibition Mela is being organised under National SC/ST Hub (NSSH) scheme of the Government which would provide professional support to the SC/ST enterprises thereby enabling them to effectively participate in the public procurement process.

Deputy Commissioner while speaking during the meeting asked the concerned officers from Agriculture,Horticulture, Sericulture,Animal and Sheep Husbandry,Banks and others to aware the masses about various schemes being implemented by their Departments in the district by installing their stalls at the venue and motivate public to avail the benefits of the same.

In order to ensure the maximum participation of the stakeholders/public in the event,the Department of Information and Public Relations Rajouri was entrusted with the responsibility to generate massive awareness among the public regarding the programme so that maximum people participate in the exhibition and get benefited.

The concerned officer from the Police Department has been asked to ensure full proof security arrangements for the public on the scheduled days.

The Deputy Commissioner asked the Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Rajouri to facilitate the public by providing a mobile tanker service at the venue.

Similarly the concerned Executive Engineer from PDD has been asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply at the site.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the ARTO to ensure the smooth regulation of the traffic on the scheduled days besides he also asked the concerned from the Traffic Department to submit the parking plan of the vehicles on the scheduled day..

Assistant Commissioner Development has been asked to give wide publicity to the event besides he shall also ensure the participation of all the BDC Chairpersons and DDC members in the programme. The Rural Development Department was also entrusted with the responsibility to make temporary toilets at the venue.

It was decided in the meeting that a committee headed by the Assistant Commissioner Revenue,Assistant Commissioner Development,Deputy Director Employment and concerned officer from KVIB shall select the venue where the Exhibition cum Awareness Mela is to be organised.It was also decided that the refreshments to the participants would be provided by the KVIB.

It is pertinent to mention here that the District Administration Rajouri is organising first of its kind Mega Awareness cum Exhibition Mela which would be observed during day and night and sole aim is to provide necessary benefits to the public by making them aware about a number of Government schemes being implemented in the district

February 16, 2021
DC Kishtwar flags off the groups of 10 students for 4 day Winter camp to be held in Bhaderwah

Muntsir Giri

Kishtwar February 16:–To promote sense of comradeship, sportsman spirit, exchange of cultural and traditional values amongst students from 3 different districts, today Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Ashok Sharma flagged off the group of 10 students for the winter camp to held at Bhaderwah from Mini Secretariat DC Office Kishtwar here.

CEO Kishtwar Ashok Kumar, Dy CEO Rajinder Singh Sen, Incharge SAMAGRA Anoop Kumar beside escort teacher remained present on the occasion.

It is pertinent mention here that on the direction of Directorate of School Education Jammu Anuradha Gupta, a 4 days Winter Camp for the students of Kishtwar Doda and Ramban is going to be held at Bhaderwah from 16-02-2021 to 19-02-2021 in which the students from the 3 districts will take part in various activities of camp.

In this camp, the students will be exposed to the sites of historical and cultural and tourism importance.The activities includes the visit to tourist sites like Ghatta lake, fish pond, Padri etc besides the snow skiing, painting ,tracking, rock climbing ,snow sculpting and cultural programmes will held during the camp.

“The participants will be imparted training in different disciplines like yoga, physical exercises and participation in cultural events for understanding the culture and traditions of different regions of our erstwhile Chenab valley.

“This will go a long way in enthusing a new spirit of confidence and overall personality development of the students,” said DC Kishtwar.

February 16, 2021
Road Safety Campaign: DC Rajouri inaugurates Vehicles Fitness Camp

RAJOURI, FEBRUARY 15: As a part of the “Road Safety Month-2021, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Rajesh Kumar Shavan along with the Senior Superintendent Of Police, Chandan Kohli today inaugurated a three-day- Vehicle Fitness camp, here at Fruit Mandi.

DDC Rajouri while addressing the gathering

Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Shammi Kumar; District Information Officer, Narinder Kumar; MVD Inspector and other officials were also present on the occasion.

The Assistant Regional Transport Officer informed that the Special Vehicles fitness camp will offer services. Where owners can get the fitness of their vehicles checked. He said that the fitness tests are being done to ensure that the vehicles are road-worthy as they tend to go through a lot of wear and tear year-on-year.

“These fitness tests will also ensure safety of participants and restrict chances of breakdown of vehicles thus mitigating the chances of accident,” he added.

While speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said Road safety Month is being organized to spread awareness about the prevention of accidents and making aware the road users about the importance of the safety rules.

He said the common traffic violations such as overspeeding, jumping traffic signals, drunken driving, unnecessary honking, violations of designated traffic zones, not wearing seat belts, riding without helmets, modification of two-wheelers and the use of mobile phones while driving, among others are main cause of mishaps. He said that the rate of accidents in terms of mechanical failure is only 0.1% and the rest are human errors and callous attitude of the drivers.

The Deputy Commissioner made it clear that no unfit vehicles shall ply on the road and appealed to all the Vehicles owners and commercial drivers to take good care of the buses and mini buses. He also ensured that such fitness camps will be organized in the near future to facilitate the drivers and the vehicle owners.

A cultural program on the theme Road safety was also organized on the occasion.

February 15, 2021
Years On, RDD Block Bunjwah lying defunct at Block Headquarter Bunjwah, BDC Chairperson found office closed during office working hours, Writes to Comm. Sec. RDD and sought intervention in this regard,

BUNJWAH February 15:– In one of the open loot and loss of state exchequers, RDD Block Bunjwah is lying defunct since from last three years despite the matter was brought into the notice of higher authorities.

As per details available with correspondent, Block Development Council Chairperson Bunjwah Ms. Choudhary Maryam vide letter No. BDC/BB/2021/102 dated 20/01/2021 forwarded a request letter to Block Development Officer Bunjwah to make the Block Office Bunjwah functional at Block Headquarter Bunjwah along with all office records here in Bunjwah before 25 Jan 2021.

The concerned BDO Bunjwah did not made any communication to above cited letter No and also did not make the Office functional at Block headquarter Bunjwah

.The Block Development Council Chairperson forwarded another request letter to Block Development Officer Bunjwah vide Ref. No. BDC/BB/2021/102 dated 20/01/2021 vide Letter No. BDC/BB/2021/107 dated 08/02/2021, to make the Office functional at Bunjwah within 05 days positively at an earliest in the larger interest of the society.

Source informed that the concerned Block Development Officer failed and did not make any communication to the Chairperson and also did not makes the office functional at Block Headquarter Bunjwah.
While talking to correspondent, BDC Chairperson said that several times the concerned officer was requested to make the office functional at headquarter but unfortunately the BDO Bunjwah had puts blind eyes and deaf ears toward Bunjwah and is throwing norms out of windows.

Adding that today on 15 feb 2021 I personally visited the Block headquarter and found that office was locked and no employee was present there from morning 10:00 am despite various calls were made to BDO, but no response was made by him.
BDC Chairperson further added that, the matter was brought into the notice of District development commissioner Kishtwar Shri Ashok Kumar Sharma, He assured that strict action will be taken against the concerned BDO.
BDC Chairperson Bunjwah also writes to Commissioner secetary RDD and sought her personal intervention in this reagard and demanded stern action against concerned officer and officials who are involved in running of this whole nexus from Kishtwar.
It is important to mention that the whole nexus is running from AC room Kishtwar and office is lying defunct since from last 03 years.
The general public of Bunjwah hails the efforts of BDC Chairperson Bunjwah in raising such issues in the larger intrest of the Society and had demanded stern action against erring officers.

February 15, 2021
DDC Kishtwar reviews the progress under languishing, B2V, PMGSY projects Public projects can’t be delayed at any cost, ensure timely completion – DDC Kishtwar

Muntsir Giri

Kishtwar 15 :–District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Ashok Sharma today chaired a meeting of the Officers of R&B, PMGSY, Youth services and Sports, Education, JPDCL (PDD), Urban Development, Jal Shakti Department, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Horticulture, JAKEDA, Ground Water Division and SICOP to review the progress made by them for various works taken up under Languishing Projects, B2V, besides reviewed progress under PMGSY roads here at VC room of New DC Office Kishtwar.

The meeting were attended by ACD Kishtwar Kishore Singh Katoch, ACR Kishtwar Dr
Amir Hussain, DFO Kishtwar, Sagar Singh, CEO Kishtwar, CHO Kishtwar, CAO Kishtwar, DSHO Kishtwar, XENs of PMGSY and PWD departments, EO MC Kishtwar besides other officers of the concerned departments remained present.

DDC stressed upon the concerned engineers & officers to expedite the pace of work and complete all under construction projects within the stipulated time frame.

He stressed to utilize all funds in the current financial year and make prompt financial & physical progress in all projects.

To address the land identification and acquisition issues for construction of receiving station at Bunjwah, he directed XEn JPDCL to take up the case with concerned revenue officials.

He also directed XEn JPDCL to monitor the pace of work being executed by M/S Shallaka across the district.

He also stressed for meticulous e-tendering and allotment process in timely uploading of bills besides asked the various departments to work in tendem to ensure hassle free completion of the developmental works.

He directed EO Municipal Council Kishtwar to ensure the hygiene and cleanliness in and around the town besides asked him to ensure the proper utilisation of the parking places in the town to avoid unnecessary traffic congestions.

While reviewing the progress of the drilling of the new water pumps in the district, XEn informed the chair that 22 new water hand pumps have been drilled out succesfully in the district.

He directed the XEn Ground water department to furnish the database of all the hand pumps in the district.

He directed the XEn PWD to expedite the pace of work of suspension bridge at Merul Dool so that it may be completed by 31st of March 2021.

While reviewing PMGSY projects, DDC directed the concerned authorities for resolving the pendency of issues and removing bottlenecks if any on priority so that execution of roads and projects shall not be delayed. He further instructed the officers to monitor the pace of work on regular basis and take care of existing public utilities. He said that these public projects cannot be delayed at any cost.

Besides,he took stock of the progress of work on the KGBV at Marwah and Warwan, construction of playgrounds proposed under B2V, providing of potable drinking water to 109 schools, establishment of library at various High and Hr. sec. Schools in the district.
He directed the indenting departments to complete the process in set time frame with due observance of guidelines issued by the Govt.

Besides, he stressed upon all the district officers to ensure the functioning of the various departments in the far flung areas of Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan by ensuring the punctuality of the staff there.
In order to ensure that the people of these areas are reached out efficiently he further directed them to take strict action against the erring officers.

February 15, 2021
With new economic & industrial reforms, J&K has become a promising destination for investors: Lt Governor

“People of J&K were deprived of basic rights. Few vested interests hampered the development reaching the doorsteps of the people for decades”, says the LG

Development of J&K, aspirations & dreams of people were suppressed by few people under thoughtful strategy. Steps being taken to correct the errors of history: Lt Governor

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 14: (GNS)”With new economic and industrial reforms, J&K has become a promising destination for investors”.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha made these remarks during the release of the book – Tipane Kashmirchi (Notes on Kashmir), untold stories authored by Sh. Arun Karmarkar.

While speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that changes that have taken place in the last 18 months have given a determined push to the socio-economic development, besides empowering the common people in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory for the first time.

“J&K has a development deficit of 73 years and there will be challenges to fill the gaps, but the administration is fully prepared to deal with it”, said the Lt Governor.

Speaking on Economic reforms, the Lt Governor observed that a new Industrial Development Scheme of Rs 28,400 crore has been unveiled for attracting investment in the UT, besides creating opportunities for the youth. With such a scheme and a ready land bank, the investors would find J&K as a promising destination for their investments. The UT Government is committed to take industries up to the block level for inclusive growth.

I have visited different parts of the Union Territory continuously in the last 6 months. 70 percent of the population is below 35 years and there is no shortage of manpower and resources. We are taking comprehensive measures through initiatives like Mission Youth to harness demographic dividend and ensuring youth’s engagement in a constructive way, contributing to the overall development of J&K, the Lt Governor added.

Underscoring the reformative initiatives taken by the Government for the growth and prosperity of J&K, the Lt Governor said that the second installment of Rs 250 crore to Jammu and Kashmir Bank as Interest Subvention was disbursed on the 11th February. The first installment of Rs 250 crore was released last year as part of our Rs 1350 crore economic package and 3 lakh 41 thousand small and big business units were given relief from the trauma of the corona epidemic.

On power generation, the Lt Governor said that despite the immense potential of Hydro Power, only 3500 MW of power was generated in J&K in the last 73 years, causing small businesses and citizens to face power problems. We have approved several projects worth Rs 54,000 crore within 3-4 months and we aspire to generate 3500 Megawatt of power in the next four years to make Jammu Kashmir a power surplus.

Compared to other states, the budget of Jammu and Kashmir has been four to five times more in per capita, yet the development that should have been done, the kind of industrialization that should have taken place has not happened, he added.

The Lt Governor, while speaking on the opportunities created for the young entrepreneurs observed that an amount to the tune of Rs 264 crore has been disbursed as financial assistance to 16,800 youth (against the assumed targeted of 8500) identified from all the 4290 Panchayats in J&K to become entrepreneurs under the Back to Village. All the Panchayats have been provided with sports kits worth Rs 20,000 each during the Back to Village-3 programme as per the local requirements, he added.

The Lt Governor remarked that – “The people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of basic rights. Few vested interests hampered the development reaching the doorsteps of the people for decades”.

He said that there is no escape from accepting the truth that deliberately, under a thoughtful strategy, the development of J&K, the aspirations and dreams of the people were suppressed by a few people and a particular section. We have taken another big step to correct the errors of history.

Speaking on the abrogation of Article 370 and its impact, the Lt Governor observed that on 5th August 2019, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, by abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution, gave Jammu and Kashmir the status of Union Territory and fully integrated it into the mainstream of the nation. And for a long time, the conspiracy being run by those certain classes of people against the people of Jammu and Kashmir was destroyed in an instant.

Quoting the Prime Minister, the Lt Governor said – “Articles 370 and 35A gave Jammu and Kashmir nothing but massive separatism, terrorism, nepotism, and widespread corruption”.

With a population of 1 crore 30 lakh, J&K was not only connected with the mainstream of the country but the new dawn of development and trust has been witnessed across the Union Territory, he added.

The Lt Governor observed that recently, peaceful, violence-free and fair elections were held for the District Development Council and the three-tier Panchayat system was established to strengthen the grass root democracy, paving the way for progressive future of the UT.

The polling stations across the UT witnessed long queues of enthusiastic voters and people came out to vote in large numbers, despite harsh weather conditions, with the voter turnout percentage even in the traditionally low percentage areas registering manifold increase, which itself manifests that faith of the people of J&K in the democratic process has deepened, he added.

Today, Jammu and Kashmir is number one in the entire country in terms of progress under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Every village will be connected with road, power and water supply in J&K in the next two years. A robust mechanism has been put in place for effective and prompt redressal of people’s grievances.

Sectors like handicrafts, food processing, horticulture, tourism, education, skill development, sports, culture, and the film industry are growing at a rapid pace. The UT administration is fully committed to make Union Territory the most favorite destination of filmmakers, the Lt Governor added.

Bringing reforms in the horticulture sector, the UT Government has initiated the process for high density plantations, cold storage cluster, market linkage, and GI tagging of local products, besides, the target of covering 5500 Hectares of land in the next five years with a major focus on Apple, Walnut, Cherry, Pear, and other significant horticulture produce. High Density plantation of Apple, Walnut, Cherry, Flowers, etc would increase the income of farmers by 3 to 4 times, observed the Lt Governor.

These are just a few glimpses of the development revolution that is taking place in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor said.

Throwing light on the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor observed that a lot of upheavals can be seen if one goes through the facts.

A National Seminar and Exhibition on “Memories of 22 October 1947” in collaboration with the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology was organized in Srinagar so that the younger generation of the UT can be told about the brutal atrocities of Pakistan, and how the people there confronted them. Documentary evidence of treacherous attack by Pakistan, Stories of resistance and bravery of the Indian Army were told to the people, during the seminar. A lot of time has passed since the 1947 invasion, but the wounds have still not healed, and it is our responsibility that the people of Jammu and Kashmir know the truth behind those incidents, the Lt Governor added.

Terrorism is the real enemy of humanity. The process of uprooting the fear of terrorism is going on at a rapid pace, he maintained.

The Lt Governor conveyed his best wishes to the author for his book and appreciated him for bringing out deeply researched facts about Jammu & Kashmir.(GNS)

February 14, 2021