State Finance Minister Prakash Pant has said the ancient ‘Dev vani’ Sanskrit needs upliftment and enhancement.
He averred that the State Government is working in this direction. It is pathetic that in a country with a population of 125 crore, the speakers of this language are just 14,133, which is a matter of concern.
The Bharatiya Janata Party Government alone has given this language the status of second State language to give this language a boost. The State Government is determined to facilitate the empowerment of Sanskrit language. The society must come forward in support of this language. The Minister stated while participating a programme organised here on Monday.
On the issue of illegal mining, the Minister said the State Government had framed a transparent policy which was also approved by the ministerial council. The application process for mining has been made online. The quarrying for minerals and sand stones shall be undertaken only in a scientific manner.
The Minister also spoke on the issue of liquor shops and said out of 509 licenced shops in the State, there was dispute in only one or two shops which will be resolved soon amicably with talks.
On the ongoing dispute regarding the Jagjeetpur liquor contract shop, he said report was sought from the office of the district magistrate. If the shop was as per the norms, then it will not be closed.
The Minister said it was unfortunate that former union minister Farukh Abdullah and Hindi actor Rishi Kapoor had referred to Pakistan occupied Kashmir as a part of Pakistan, stating that it was not the mark of a nationalist mentality. The BJP Government of the centre dreamed of an undivided India and PoK was part of India.