Srinagar, Feb 10 (KNO): Appreciating the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government for taking appropriate steps to deal with the external threat, BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in Lok Sabha said that it's was during the Congress rule when China encroached on the vital places in Ladakh.
Jamyang Namgyal, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that a year after the abrogation of Article-370, both Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir has progressed on the path of prosperity and development while a grassroots democracy has been reviewed.
Thanking Modi, Namgyal said that be it COVID-19 pandemic, the security of Galwan Valley, and other concerns related to this country including, border, socioeconomic natural and man-made challenges Prime Minister with his broad 56 inches, chest moved forward taking on all the obstacles.
Sharing experience about the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with two separate UTs, he said that after the UT status for Ladakh, the union government sanctioned a budget of Rs 13000 crore which is itself a history for the proper development and prosperity.
"Rs 232.41 crore of the budget have been sanctioned for both the autonomous hill councils empowering them financially by the Modi government, he said adding that after the reorganization both the councils are directly connected with the government of India after amending the acts.
"Keeping in view the aspiration of Ladakhi, including the land, environment, employment, cultural identity, the 6th schedule constitutional safeguard has been assured by the Home Minister of India," he said.
He said post the bifurcation, the Modi government-sanctioned university, two-degree colleges, national skill institute, and another mammoth project for educational institutions for the region.
In the health sector, the government has facilitated the people in remote areas with telemedicine, a medical college, Ayush Ministry announced a college, he informed
"UPA government ignored the region in the past decades," Namgyal said.
Namgyal informed the house that 54 mobile network towers have been installed in Ladakh and the remote areas are being facilitated with the internet.
"Rs 480 crore have been sanctioned for the up-gradation of the lone airport that will reflect the culture and identity of the region on an international pattern," he said.
About the border protection, the MP said that roads and bridges have been constructed for border security besides all-weather Zojila Tunnel is being constructed.
"Not a war zone, Kargil is a peaceful zone, MP said while maintaining that the district is being developed with tourist attraction potential destination.
While answering a question about the encroachment by China in eastern Ladakh, the MP said that it was during Congress's time when 1000 kilometres land were taken by China including Aksai Chin in 1962.
"Zorawar fort in Dimjang was demolished by PLA and used as an observing point up to 2008-2012," he said.
"The Incident trade point was also taken away from 2008-09 during the Congress-led union government but thanks to PM Modi who has strengthened the volume of the army there and protected the borders well," MP Jamyang said in the house.
Taking a dig at the former chief minister of J&K he said that, Farooq Abdullah, led government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir never made efforts for the betterment of the Gujjar-Bakerwal Community rather after the abrogation of Article-370 Union Government gave them exclusive political reservation in the recently concluded DDC elections to uplift them
"Grassroots democracy has been brought to Jammu and Kashmir with the conduct of different local elections without even a bullet fired and anyone killed," he said
Jamyang said that "some of the districts in Kashmir valley know as a hotbed of militancy voted with 60-70 per cent turnout with elderly people coming out to vote."
He also said that "there was no shoot at site order site issued."
Namgyal while referring to former chief ministers said that this government has no issue with Muslims rather with some ideologies, like Farooq Abdullah demanding the restoration of Article-370 with help of China isn't acceptable at all and Mehbooba statement for not holding up the national flag unless the special status is restored—(KNO)