Srinagar: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday asked terrorists not to kill and get killed, but contribute to the development of Kashmir.
He also said Kashmir had no relation with Pakistan and that “Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) will be part of India one day.”
“Kashmir is a beautiful place and Srinagar is a beautiful city. The government is trying to boost tourism so that it creates more employment opportunities and benefits the people. But to turn this vision into reality, peace is necessary. Terror activities are taking place here… I appeal to the terrorists not to kill others and get killed themselves, but take part in the development of Kashmir,” Athawale told reporters here.
He said the people in Kashmir were waving the tricolour and that the Valley had no relation with Pakistan anymore.
“Pakistan has encroached PoK. One day, the PoK will come to us. The people there want so, they are fed up with Pakistan. We want a united Kashmir and we want its development. Pakistan has to stop attacking us, training terrorists, and misguiding our youth. If Pakistan wants to prosper, it should have good relations with India,” he said.
The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, said that development and peace in Jammu and Kashmir is the top priority of the Prime Minister Modi led government which is evident now with the visit of lakhs of tourists this year and the beginning of investment processes in thousands of crores in different sectors in Jammu and Kashmir for the welfare of the people.
Athawale said that the peaceful atmosphere, which is now prevalent in J&K under the present government, has been able to attract lakhs of tourists which is a positive sign and will create job opportunities for the youth of J&K besides infrastructure development in the tourism sector.
He said the government wants to create more employment opportunities for the youth of J&K by attracting private sector investment.
“Many private sector investors have come to Jammu and Kashmir and will invest thousands of crores of rupees for the welfare of the Union Territory,” the minister added.
Athawale also said that from last many years, the gates of development have opened for J&K which is evident from the fact that all the centrally sponsored schemes and programmes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, MUDRA, PM Ujjwala Yojana, scholarship schemes for students, welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are now implemented in J&K.
Athawale further said that hundred percent implementation of many central schemes in J&K is witness to the fact that Government of India is steadfast to provide social stability at all fronts be that housing, livelihood, etc. to the people of J&K.
The minister also said that under PM Narendra Modi implementation of the social welfare schemes has picked up pace in Jammu and Kashmir which is evident from the fact that under PM Jan Dhan Yojana, between 2014-2022 (September), 26 lakh accounts have been opened in J&K, under PM Ujjwala Yojana between 2016-22 (September), 12.43 lakh gas connections have been allotted to the beneficiaries, under PM Awas Yojana (Urban) between 2015-22 (September), 15,000 houses have been constructed in J&K, under PM Awas Yojana (Rural), 90,000 houses have been constructed, under PM Jan Arogya Yojana, 5.09 lakh have been benefited in J&K and under Ujala Yojana, 85 lakh LED bulbs have been issued in J&K.
The minister also informed that between 2019-22 (September), 1720 drug de-addiction centers have been either funded, or established under financial assistance for the establishment of de-addiction centers out of which 12 have been either funded or established in Jammu and Kashmir. (With PTI inputs)
