People in J&K want development not Article 370: MoS Home GK Reddy

Maintaining that the union government is working for prosperity and development of Jammu and Kashmir, the MoS Home GK Reddy Monday said that the central government has undertaken major developmental projects but there has been some delay in achieving the set target due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the house, Minister of State, Home Affairs, GK Reddy, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that if the development in Jammu and Kashmir is compared with the past 70 years it's quite better and speedy development is underway and center along with UT administration are working together for the betterment. "The set target for J&K remained unachieved given the COVID-19 pandemic", he said.

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He said that the maiden DC elections were conducted successfully. “Panchayat Raj elections were conducted with 74 voter percentages. 98 percent of BDC elections were conducted. PM Modi led government is working together with the UT administration of J&K,” Reddy said.

The union minister said that for the first time grievance boxes have been installed across J&K. Back to village program was launched. “My Town My Pride program was launched for urban areas. Under the PM development package, the work of 54 percent stands completed. Kashmir will be connected with the Train by December 2022,” he said.

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Reddy said that the World-class transport facility in Jammu and Srinagar is set to be completed in the next four years. “The power sector has started a lot of work and additional capacity will be produced. Power for all schemes launched. Water supply for all schemes launched. Village road connectivity being improved and built,” 

"J&K has received the entire amount of 881 crores allocation under the PM development program which amounts to 754 spent so far", he said. "140 new health projects undertaken. Two AIIMS, super-specialty hospital, medical college being constructed. Seven medical colleges have been sanctioned and 15 BSC medical colleges also a cancer institute in Srinagar and Jammu."

He also informed that all-important union ministers will visit J&K, the first phase of which was completed but the 2nd is pending due to the pandemic. A new business royal package has also been announced. 

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About the unemployment in J&K, the union minister said that the government has decided to hold a mega employment drive that includes 5 IR Battalions along with 2 border battalions and 2 women battalions in the police for Jammu and Kashmir and the process is underway while the board has been constituted.

"In paramilitary, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir will be recruited and as part of development, the Lakhanpur toll has been abolished", he said.

“People in Jammu and Kashmir don't want article 370 rather development for that Pakistan attempts to disrupt and resorts to ceasefire violation and 71 people received injuries in 2020 along LoC while the infiltration attempts were 216 in 2019 but the number has come down to 99. "221 militants were killed in 2020 in J&K. 327 stone-pelting incidents were reported in 2020", MoS Home informed the house.

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