J&K\, Ladakh UTs will see new dawn of growth: PM Narendra Modi



J&K, Ladakh UTs will see new dawn of growth: PM Narendra Modi

Modi applies balm, raises hopes in his address to the nation


PM Modi’s address

People watch PM Modi’s address on a TV screen in Ahmedabad , Reuters

In his much-awaited address to the nation on Thursday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised hopes of a new dawn for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and said his government's decisions would bring about a host of positive changes in the lives of the common man in these two Union Territories as it would mean good governance, transparency, protection of Indian laws, industrialisation, a boost in tourism and thus more employment opportunities to the youth and their participation in the mainstream.

Hundreds of Indian laws — which protect the rights of a billion people and give them opportunities — will now be available to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a new era for the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and the whole nation, where all citizens have equal rights and responsibilities, he said.

Citing examples of how life would change for the common man, he said children would now have the right to education, women's rights would be protected, and the stringent laws that protect the Dalits across the nation would also apply in the region.

‘TIME WE GOT RID OF 370 BAGGAGE’

‘ALL IT GAVE PEOPLE WAS NEPOTISM, TERRORISM, SEPARATISM AND NOTHING ELSE’

  • PM Modi, in his address, asserted that it was necessary for Jammu & Kashmir to get rid of the baggage of Article 370   
  • He pointed out that over last three decades, all that the unfair article gave to the people was ‘nepotism, terrorism, separatism and nothing else’    
  • The PM reminded people that secessionism and terrorism, offshoots of Article 370, were responsible for killing of over 42,000 innocents in J&K

Other laws like the Minority Act, that protects the interests of Minorities and Minimum Wages Act, that protects the workers and were not available in the state so far, has now come into force, he said.

He also assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that it is his solemn promise that the UT status will not be for long and the status of full statehood with all the paraphernalia of chief minister, legislators back like before. Citing the success of panchayat elections, he exhorted youth of the valley to get ready to take the reins of governance in their hand by participating in the next elections and get the state rid of dynastic politicians and related corruption.

He told the people of Jammu and Kashmir that each one of the 130 crore people is with them as he also asked everyone to become a stakeholder in J&K's progress.

He exhorted the private and public sector industries to be a stakeholder in the progress of Jammu and Kashmir by drawing out plans to come there to create industrial that would give job opportunities to the youth.

In a special mention of Ladakh, PM Modi said it is land of immense but untapped potential like solar energy, top quality herbs that are not found anywhere in the world which have the potential to take the region to great heights. It can become a great centre for spiritual tourism, he said.

Conceding that some people have divergent views on the removal of the Article 370 and he respects their view as it should happen in a democracy, PM Modi asked everyone to forget the past and help in making the future better by becoming a stakeholder in the progress of the country by contributing in whatever possible manner.

He reminded the countrymen of the great sacrifices people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have made by citing examples of bravery, including the recent one of Army soldier Aurangzeb of Poonch who was killed by terrorist and yet his father sent his remaining two sons to join the Army.