Expressing deep satisfaction and pride that democracy has made way to grass roots in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “Be it democracy or resolve for development, today Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example. In the last 2-3 years, new dimensions of development have been created in Jammu and Kashmir”.
Participating in the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day and addressing all the Gram Sabhas across the country, during his visit to Palli Panchayat in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, he said that for the first time, elections to the three-tier Panchayati Raj system- Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and DDC have been held in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to the process of inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir in the development journey of the nation, the Prime Minister informed that more than 175 central laws have become applicable in Jammu and Kashmir. inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth around Rs 20,000 crore. He also launched the Amrit Sarovar initiative.
To give a new impetus to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said that work is going on at a fast pace and efforts will provide employment to a large number of youths of the state.
Today many families have also got property cards of their houses in villages. These ownership cards will inspire new possibilities in the villages. 100 Jan AushadhiKendras will become a medium to provide affordable medicines and surgical items to the poor and middle class families of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
The Prime Minister said that a new story of development is being written and many private investors are interested in Jammu and Kashmir. For 7 decades of independence, private investment of only Rs 17 thousand crore could be made in Jammu and Kashmir. But now it is reaching around Rs 38,000 crore. Tourism also is thriving once again, the Prime Minister noted.
He underlined the changed system of working in the Jammu and Kashmir, by giving example of the 500 KW solar plant that is being established in three weeks whereas earlier even the movement of file from Delhi used to take 2-3 weeks.