On ID, LG pledges to make J&K terror-free
Says aim is to put smile on common man's face
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that the government is committed to making J&K terror-free and that the security forces are working tirelessly to push the last nail in the coffin of the terror ecosystem.
Sinha also said the aim of his administration is to put a smile on every person’s face, asserting that sincere efforts have been made for the welfare of people in the Union territory.
Sinha said this during his address at the Independence Day function here.
Recalling his first I-Day speech as the LG of Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said sincere efforts have been made for the welfare of the people and to ensure peace in everyone’s life.
“Three years ago, on this day, I said to you that I have no promises to make, but I have promises to keep. I have dedicated every moment of my life to keep those promises and to usher Jammu and Kashmir in a new era of peace and prosperity,” he said.
“My ultimate aim is to put a smile on the common man’s face. Every policy and every decision has been taken to ensure that all sections of society — farmers, soldiers, labourers, women, teachers, engineers, doctors and businessmen — are given a fair and equal opportunity for a brighter future, so that they can contribute in building a confident and self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said in his address.
The LG highlighted the steps taken by his administration including reviving tourism, holding a G20 working group meeting in Srinagar, dismantling the terror ecosystem, providing land to the landless and developing infrastructure in the Union territory.
“Terrorism is one of the gravest threats to peace and progress. The ideology of terrorism and separatism is cancer for society and all its forms have to be completely eliminated. We need to identify the remaining elements and isolate them. We need to stop using double standards for terrorism.
“A terrorist has to be called a terrorist. We are determined to take decisive and tough action against terrorism and strike the last nail in the coffin of the terrorist-secessionist ecosystem,” he said.
Sinha termed 2023 as the golden year for Jammu and Kashmir.
“The successful G20 meeting, which saw massive public participation, testifies that the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir have broken their shackles and are raring to scale new height,” he said
Sinha said notwithstanding the conspiracies and attempts of the neighbouring countries to disturb the event, representatives from 27 nations participated in the meeting here which was a “loud and clear message to our adversaries”.
“The G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting not only strengthened diplomatic ties, but also opened new avenues for global partnership that will help in tapping the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir. I am proud to inform you that since the G20 event, there has been an increase of 59 percent in foreign tourist arrivals in Kashmir Valley, as compared to the previous year,” he said.
Sinha said while Jammu and Kashmir received a total of 1.88 crore tourists last year, it has already seen a footfall of 1.27 crore visitors in the first seven months of the year.
“We have welcomed 1.27 crore tourists till July this year, another record in the history of the tourism sector,” he added.
The LG lauded the security forces for their role in curbing terrorism in the UT.
“I want to assure our brave soldiers guarding the borders that citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire nation stand shoulder to shoulder with you. We believe in peace, we believe in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and mutual goodwill. We are fully committed to safeguard national interests and if provoked, we are capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression,” he added.
He also said Jammu and Kashmir today is characterized by peace and inclusive development. “The transformation and rapid progress in diverse sectors in the last three years is unprecedented in its history,” Sinha said.
“There is renewed enthusiasm and vigour among the entrepreneurs for industrialization. New roads, tunnels, railway lines, power projects, airport terminals, industrial estates and shopping malls are being constructed and all around us we are witnessing the emergence of prosperity and happiness. The hard work, dedication and determination of 1.3 crore citizens is shaping the new destiny of this beautiful Union Territory and the society, united with one resolve of Viksit Bharat, is marching towards a golden future,” the LG said.
He said last year, on this day, “I gave a pledge to the people to build a fear-free, corruption[1]free, employment-rich and drug-free Jammu and Kashmir. By dismantling the terror ecosystem, every citizen has been given the opportunity to live their lives fearlessly and on their own terms.
“Interventions of digital governance have eradicated the systemic corruption that was prevalent in our society, to a great extent. A historic 90 percent approval rating in delivery of online public services is a testimony to growing relationship and trust between government and the citizens.
“Apart from merit-based selections for 29,806 government jobs, countless self-employment opportunities are being made available to kick-start the entrepreneurial journeys of youth. Last year, 786 youth started their entrepreneurial journey,” the LG said.
He said dedicated efforts are being taken for a ‘Drug-free Jammu and Kashmir’. Drug-free Panchayat campaign has strengthened our fight against this menace at the grassroot level. Increase in registration of cases, arrests and seizures under the PNDT Act, shows the commitment of the administration towards realizing the goal of “nasha-mukt Jammu and Kashmir”, the LG said.
The LG said “this paradise on earth has been the land of all spiritual streams since times immemorial. However, the terrorism exported by our neighboring country has tried to destroy the tranquility and cultural richness of this soil of ‘Peer Vaer’.
He said another milestone in the list of achievements of 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir is the ongoing Amarnath Yatra – 2023. “This year’s Yatra marks the longest pilgrimage of Baba Barfani in history. The message of peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir has attracted devotees not only from various parts of the country but also from abroad, fulfilling the decades old wishes of local & foreign citizens.
“Our Shia brothers were able to take out the procession on traditional routes to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) on Muharram after 34 years,” the LG said.
The LG also said that J&K is witnessing fast economic development and rapid social change. “GST
collection during the financial year 2022-23 was Rs. 7300 crores, and SGST cash collection in the last quarter has shown a remarkable 35 percent increase. Stamp duty collection has registered a growth of 10.8 percent during the current financial year.
“The new Jammu and Kashmir Excise Policy 2023-2024 has facilitated revenue collection of Rs. 767.89 crores, registering a whopping increase of 66.23 percent,” the LG said.
Photos: Javed Khan
