Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday that enduring peace is gradually returning to Jammu and Kashmir, and this achievement belongs to all citizens.
“Today, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing an era of peace, progress, and prosperity. Schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and other public institutions are functioning without any disturbances,” the Lt. Governor said.
He said earlier practices of daily hartals, strikes, stone pelting, and bandhs are things of the past now.
The Lt. Governor said that Jammu and Kashmir is certainly on the march.
The UT has made sufficient progress, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, tourism, industrialisation, social security, employment generation, livelihood creation, public outreach, transparency, and providing basic facilities, he said.
“In the past 5 years, democracy has taken deep roots in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Lt Governor said.
“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have kept the flame of inclusive development and social equality burning ever-bright, illuminating J&K’s journey in the past 5 years,” the Lt Governor said, adding that “economically deprived sections of society have been empowered.”
He said the overall economy of Jammu and Kashmir has been growing at an impressive pace. Rapid growth and transformation in sectors like health, education, public works, urban and rural development, and power over the past 5 years is unprecedented in Union Territory’s history.
“The period after August 5, 2019 bears sufficient proof that women, youth, farmers, and entrepreneurs have excelled themselves and are wholeheartedly contributing to the sacred duty of nation-building,” he said.
He said enthusiastic participation and record voter turnout in the recently held Lok Sabha election are a testimony to people’s faith in the constitution and their internalisation of the spirit of democracy.
The G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting opened new avenues for global partnership that helped tap the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir. J&K has recorded 2.11 crore tourist visits during 2023, which is the highest ever, the Lt Governor said.
“Our tourism initiatives have not only showcased the mesmerising beauty of J&K but have also spotlighted our culture and heritage. Owing to the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar, J&K witnessed 2.5 times increase in foreign tourist arrivals,” he said.
The Lt. Governor said to boost the industrial sector in J&K, effective policies and an enabling environment have been created.
He said investment proposals worth Rs. 1,26,582 crore with an expected employment potential of 4.74 lakh persons have also been received for the setting up of industrial units in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
