Work going on in J-K for fast pace development: Modi

Samba (JK), Apr 24 (PTI). The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Jammu & Kashmir to participate in the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day today and addressed all the Gram Sabhas across the country. He visited Palli Panchayat in Samba district. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth around Rs 20,000 crore. He also launched the Amrit Sarovar initiative. Lt Governor Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, Union Ministers Shri Giriraj Singh, Dr Jitendra Singh and Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil were among those present on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said work is going on at a fast pace in Jammu and Kashmir to give a new impetus to its development.

In his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019, Modi inaugurated or laid foundation stone of projects worth Rs 20,000 crore related to connectivity and electricity at Palli near here. Addressing gram sabhas across the country on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day, he said Panchayati Raj institutions strengthen the spirit of democracy.  “To give a new impetus to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, work is going on at a fast pace in the Union Territory. These efforts will provide employment to a large number of youths of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The prime minister said it is a matter of great pride that at a time when democracy has reached grassroots in Jammu and Kashmir through the panchayati raj system, he was interacting with panchayats across the country. He said be it democracy or carrying out development, Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example these days.

Shri Modi referred to India’s leadership on international environmental and climate change platforms and expressed pride in the strides that Palli Panchayat is making towards becoming first carbon neutral panchayat. “Palli Panchayat is moving towards becoming the first Carbon Neutral Panchayat in the country. Today, I have also got an opportunity to interact with the people’s representatives of the villages of the country, in the village of Palli. Many congratulations to Jammu and Kashmir for this big achievement and development works”, he said.

“New dimensions of development have been created in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two-three years,” he said. Modi said those who did not get the benefit of reservation for years in Jammu and Kashmir have started getting the benefit of reservation after the abrogation of Article 370.

PTI TAS NES ACB SKL DV DV