Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in an address at the “Baat Bharat ki” Conclave-2024 in New Delhi, asserted that the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has been on a transformative journey of development since the abrogation of Article 370.
Describing J&K as the emerging powerhouse of India, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised that any discussion about the nation would be incomplete without including the significant strides made by Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the positive change, LG Sinha pointed to the recent New Year celebrations in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, where videos capturing the festivities at 2 AM gained more traction on social media than those in metropolitan cities like Goa. He noted that these images depict a vibrant ongoing festival, dispelling the long-standing shadows of violence that once plagued the region.
“J&K has entered a new era of peace, replacing the sound of bullets with the sound of progress,” he asserted.
He observed that during the early morning hours, instead of youth holding stones, one would find them with laptops and tablets, contributing to the growing atmosphere of development.
The LG said that despite the cold weather, the valley is bustling with activity well before sunset, with the noise of motors and people’s footsteps replacing the ominous silence of the past. He also mentioned the surge in night activities enjoyed by both locals and tourists in Srinagar and other parts of the valley.
Discussing tourism, Sinha shared that in the past year, 55,000 foreign tourists visited the Union Territory, marking a significant 350% increase after the G-20 meeting held in Srinagar. Despite the ongoing challenges, the LG emphasized that the focus is not just on eliminating terrorism but also on dismantling the entire ecosystem that supports it.
The LG disclosed that he took the decision to scrap the yearly “Darbar Move” event due to its adverse effects on the country’s economy. He expressed astonishment at witnessing 217 trucks transporting documents from Srinagar to Jammu and the booking of 1,000 hotels in Srinagar and 800 guest houses every six months.
Highlighting the digital achievements, Sinha proudly declared that J&K has surpassed other states and is now leading the country in terms of online services. He pointed out that the Union Territory continues to be a frontrunner in the implementation of the Public Services Act (PSGA), with 866 employees fined for delaying public services.
In terms of employment, Sinha mentioned that 30,500 jobs were generated, and over seven lakh youths have started their own ventures, contributing not only to their livelihoods but also to the overall economic development of the region.
“Despite being only 1% of the nation’s population, Jammu and Kashmir remains a key focus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah,” the LG said, asserting that it is a valuable asset for India deserving of the attention it receives.
