Dy CM hoists tricolour at MA Stadium Jammu, highlights Govt’s development push

Jammu, Aug 15: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday unfurled the national flag at MA Stadium during Jammu’s 79th Independence Day celebrations, taking the ceremonial salute from a 32-contingent parade and outlining the government’s recent industrial, infrastructure, and welfare achievements in his address.

The I-Day Parade consisted of a total of 32 smart contingents from BSF, CRPF, SSB, IRP (women & men), J&K Police, JKAP, SDRF, J&K Fire and Emergency Services, J&K Forest Protection Force, NCC (boys and girls), several government and private school contingents, brass & pipe bands of BSF, J&K Armed Police, and band troops (girls & boys) of different schools.

The Deputy Chief Minister, at the outset, expressed deepest condolences to the grieving families who have lost their family members and relatives in the tragic cloudburst in Chashoti, Kishtwar. Expressing sympathies, he said that the government stands in solidarity with the affected families.

While addressing the gathering at the prestigious event, the Dy CM greeted the people of J&K and the nation on the auspicious occasion of the 79th Independence Day. He said Independence Day reminds us of the sacrifices of our brave ancestors and the struggle of our freedom fighters. He expressed gratitude towards the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to bring the light of freedom to the nation.

Highlighting the government’s achievements recorded in the past 10 months, the Dy CM proudly informed that 46 new industrial estates have started in Jammu and Kashmir and new factories are coming up in areas like Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Pulwama, and Budgam. Likewise, the government has formulated a Local Employment Policy so that the youth of J&K have the first right in the newly set up factories. He said that J&K is not only known for its mountains, rivers, and beautiful weather, but also for centuries-old art and heritage.

“Our artisans and skilled people are the soul of this land, who with their own hands create amazing works of art that are appreciated all over the world.

The Dy CM said that the government has given GI tags to Kashmiri pashmina, kani shawls, paper mache, and walnut wood carvings, along with Solai honey of Ramban, Kaladi of Ramnagar, Guchchi mushrooms of Doda, Basmati of Jammu, Rajma of Bhaderwah, and Saffron of Kishtwar, and in handicrafts, Chakri Kala of Rajouri, Basohli pashmina shawls, and Basohli paintings.

Underscoring the government’s care for the weak, poor, and needy citizens, the Dy CM maintained that the government has distributed 2 lakh safety kits among the workers, which included helmets, safety shoes, gloves, and basic medical kits.

“Through pension schemes like ISSS and NSAP, the Omar Abdullah government has ensured to provide pensions to the elderly, widows, and the disabled from month to month to facilitate their living,” he added.

The Dy CM said that giving more emphasis on health services, the government has given its biggest priority to the expansion of health services. Besides, MBBS and PG seats have also been increased so that more and more local students get the opportunity of medical education.

In the education sector, the government has taken important steps, including mobile schools for hilly and remote areas, which were difficult to reach, and the New Education Policy has been adopted in Jammu and Kashmir.

The government has started teacher training programmes, which focus on new curriculum, activity-based teaching, and student counselling, he added.

For the farmers, the government has started different schemes in agriculture, horticulture, and sericulture to increase their income. Through the Saffron Mission, saffron from Pampore is now reaching the world market with a GI tag, he said.

The Dy CM said that the government has also increased the Kisan Credit Card coverage for the farmers so that they can get loans at low interest. Also, the crop insurance scheme compensates for their losses, be they rains, hailstorms, or falling market prices.

Regarding youth empowerment, the Dy CM emphasised that the government will provide skill training to more and more youth through Mission Yuva, including training in areas like IT, tourism, handicraft, dairy farming, solar installation, and modern agriculture. After the training, they will be given subsidised loans to start their business so that they do not have to just search for a job, but they can become a source of employment for their city and village.

The Dy CM also informed that the Omar Abdullah government has taken many major steps for the empowerment of women. Self-help groups (SHGs) have been formed in which women are starting their own small businesses, such as dairy farming, tailoring units, pickle and jam making, and online handicraft sales. These self-help groups have been provided with interest-free loans, marketing training, and the latest accounting tools so that their work can not only survive but also become a successful business.

He said that after the formation of the Omar Abdullah government, the Public Works Department has achieved many important milestones in the infrastructure development of Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of India has also approved several mega development projects for J&K.

He said that under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)—Phase IV, 1,741 km of roads are being constructed at a cost of ₹4,224 crore that will connect 2,400 rural habitations. In addition, the MORTH Project has approved 19 new national highway projects worth Rs. 10,637 crore. Many projects are also going on under NABARD, he added.

In the power sector, the government has strengthened the transmission and distribution system.

The Dy CM said that tourism is not just an industry for us but a strong pillar of our identity, our pride, and our economy. In view of increasing footfall of tourism and keeping in mind their convenience, new housing blocks, parking facilities, and a crowd management system have been adopted. He asserted that it’s now our responsibility to preserve freedom, protect it, and take the country forward; it is on our shoulders, and especially it is the duty of our younger generation to preserve this freedom.

He exhorted that the government will continue to work for the development of J&K with honesty, hard work, and dedication.