Polls In J&K After Delimitation, Statehood To Be Restored Once Situation Normalises: Amit Shah

The Home Minister claimed that some people were spreading lies for their narrow political interests. He stressed that Jammu and Kashmir can be developed only through democracy.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir will be held after completion of the ongoing delimitation process and statehood will be restored once situation in the union territory normalises.

The statement came as the Home Minister released India’s first “District Good Governance Index” on Saturday.

He emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir is a priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding multi-pronged efforts are being made for all-round development of the union territory, news agency PTI reported.

“As far as the democratic process is concerned, the delimitation process has started. After its completion, we will hold the (assembly) elections,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.

“Some people have said many things, but I want to tell you that I had given assurance in Parliament that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored. Once situation in Jammu and Kashmir becomes normal, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored,” he added, as quoted by PTI.

According to the Union Home Minister, some people want to create confusion in the minds of the residents of the valley. He requested everyone not to fall into their trap.

Democracy has reached the lowest level of the society after implementation of the panchayati raj system and that is why some people are worried, he said.

Amit Shah stressed that Jammu and Kashmir can be developed only through democracy, and people can be happy and youths can get jobs also through democracy.

“But to sustain the democracy, peace is necessary in Jammu and Kashmir. I want to appeal to the youths of Jammu and Kashmir not to get instigated by the statements of vested interests. I want to tell the youths to have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have faith in Jammu and Kashmir administration,” he said.

Some People Spreading Lies For Narrow Political Interests: Amit Shah

The Home Minister claimed that some people were spreading lies for their narrow political interests.

“I want to appeal to everyone, especially the youths to ask these people some questions. Those who are saying that the valley’s land will be usurped, they should be asked whose land has been taken away so far. By spreading such lies, they are trying to put barrier in the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He further remarked that "those who were saying that violence will enhance. They should be asked whether violence has gone up or reduced. They had said no investment will come, but the fact is that already Rs 12,000 crore investment has come. Tourists arrivals have also gone up and Jammu and Kashmir is matching towards development”.

The Union Home Minister highlighted that many changes have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir under the initiative of the local administration and the guidance of the Prime Minister.

“I want to tell everyone, especially youths, youths of the valley, to give attention towards development, be part of the development process,” he urged.

Amit Shah mentioned that till August 2019, when the Article 370 was abrogated, Jammu and Kashmir was electing 87 MLAs and 6 MPs and only three families were ruling the erstwhile state.

“Now, 30,000 people’s representatives (panchayat members) are serving the people. The benefits of the implementation of Panchayati Raj Act is before the people of Jammu and Kashmir. There has been speedy development after the implementation of the act,” he said.

He also claimed that some political parties were hurt that the panchayati raj system has been implemented and these people have said that the law and order situation has deteriorated after the abrogation of Article 370.

Some people have gone to even to the extreme and said that until the Article 370 is restored, law and order in Jammu and Kashmir can never be good, he added.

“I want to tell all of them that there has been 40 per cent reduction in terror related incidents and 57 per cent reduction in deaths since Article 370 was abrogated. It shows that peace has no connection with the change. Peace has connection with the administration. When people get good administration, people get involved with the administration,” Amit said, as quoted by PTI.

The Union Home Minister also lauded the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s efforts, stating that the union territory stands within the fifth rank among all states and union territories in implementing central government development schemes like providing electricity, LPG gas connections, toilets, 100 per cent vaccination, oxygen supply, setting up oxygen plants.

He also highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s tremendous potential for tourism.

Amit Shah stated that the budget of Jammu and Kashmir has been increased from Rs 9,000 crore to Rs 21,000 crore. “No other state has got such two and half times more budget. It shows that Jammu and Kashmir is a priority for Modi,” he added.

(With Agency Inputs)