Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said that the UT is an integral part of India and there is no question of engaging with any third part, effectively putting to bed speculation about Indo-Pak bilateral talks.
“UT administration and GoI has a clear cut policy of engaging with the citizens of J&K. J&K is an integral part of our country and there is no question of engaging with any third party, Sinha said.
Sinha said Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent J&K visit announced that elections will be held after the delimitation exercise. He said statehood will be restored after that.
“Only Parliament can restore statehood. Both Prime Minister and Home Minister have spoken on this issue in detail in Parliament,” he said.
Lieutenant Governor said there is full freedom to political parties to carry out their activities in Jammu and Kashmir. “Constitution of India gives freedom to everyone. There is full freedom for everyone to carry out political activities. We provide security to everyone. All political parties participated in the last DDC elections. Turnout was more than Assembly and Parliament elections. The polls were free and fair and without violence,” he said.
Sinha said all the militants responsible for recent civilian killings have been eliminated. “Civilian killings are the result of frustration and reaction to growing peace, progress, prosperity, and normalcy in the valley. As promised, we have eliminated all those responsible for civilian killings. Work is on to eliminate the entire terrorism ecosystem. Our strategy is not to eliminate terrorists only but demolish the entire terror ecosystem,” he said.
When asked about the termination of government employees over militant links, Sinha said that no government jobs and facilities will be given to anyone who is even remotely associated with militants and militancy activities.
When asked to spell out the benefits of Article-370 revocation, the LG claimed that reservation benefits have percolated to all eligible communities who remained deprived since long. Besides, he said, Forest Rights Act has been implemented in toto, marginalised communities are being brought into mainstream and domicile rights to women have been restored after 370 abrogation.
“Certain communities of J&K (Khatri, Mahajans etc) were not allowed to purchase agricultural land, that has been changed now,” he said.
Replying to another related question as to what has changed in J&K since August 2019; the LG said that 11000 candidates have secured government jobs in the most fair and transparent recruitment process in the history of J&K. He also said that average income of farmers in J&K is around Rs 19000, which is fifth highest in the country.
“In 2018-19, after spending Rs 67000 crores less than 10000 projects were completed, whereas in 2019-20, we have completed more than 21000 projects after spending only Rs 63000 crores. Executing more projects with comparatively less expenditure is what has changed in J&K,” Sinha said.
In road construction, the LG said, 3 years back J&K used to be at 11th, 12th in the whole country and in the last two years, J&K has graduated to 3rd place achieving road construction 2.5 times the previous years.
Giving more details, he said, in comparison to an average 2500-2600km road that used to be macadamised in a year, last year his administration macadamised 5600 kms and this year a target to complete 8000 kms has been set. Besides, he said, 25 national Highways are under construction in J&K
“More domestic flights in J&K and International flights to Sharjah started from Srinagar, ” Sinha said.
Replying to a question on the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, Sinha said that the PM employment package has been implemented fully and 6000 vacancies have almost been filled.
Also, he said, out of 6000 houses, 3500 houses are under construction, while rest within a year. He also said that encroached Migrant properties are being restored to original owners across the valley.