Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on February 7, chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of development projects in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. The focus of the meeting was on infrastructure development, including hydropower projects at various stages of execution. Some major hydropower projects, such as the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul in Kishtwar district, are at an advanced stage of construction. It is likely that this project will begin commercial electricity production within the next 12 months.
Some senior officials from the Union Power Ministry also attended the review meeting with Shah. The need for enhanced security measures for Salal, Baglihar, Dul Hasti, and other power infrastructure was also on the agenda. The implementation of key Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) in the UT was also discussed, officials said.
As a revenue-deficient UT that depends on the Centre for funds, the Central government’s development schemes contribute significantly to its economy. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had admitted as much in the UT Legislative Assembly on Friday while presenting the budget. He had said the government had no magic wand to turn this deficit into a surplus overnight.
The meeting was attended by J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, J-K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and DGP Nalin Prabhat, among others, the officials said. Besides, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, and heads of the CAPFs and other senior officials were also present.
Shah said, “The terror ecosystem nurtured by elements inimical to our country in J&K has been almost crippled due to the concerted efforts of the Modi Government. The efforts for de-radicalisation have seen major success in accelerating our vision for a terror-free J&K.’’
He instructed the officials attending the meeting for taking more steps for more engagement with the youth of the UT to wean them away from anti-national elements. Shah also stressed that major initiatives to build up the start-up ecosystem, the sports sector, etc., were needed to ensure that youths were engaged in income-generating activities. It needs to be mentioned here that due to deradicalisation efforts, combined with strict monitoring and actions being taken against the separatists and secessionists, there was no fresh
He directed all security agencies to remain alert and continue working in a coordinated manner to ensure that the gains achieved in recent times are sustained and the goal of a terror-free J&K is achieved at the earliest. What he left unsaid was that, in a large measure, Pakistan was responsible for fostering terrorism in the UT. Shah assured that all resources would be made available for this endeavour to create a peaceful atmosphere in J&K.
Amid a setback to the tourism industry due to last year’s Pahalgam terror attack, Shah said that the enthusiasm of tourists from across the country to visit J&K has not diminished. “The enthusiasm of tourists from across the country to visit J&K has not diminished. There is a need for aggressive marketing of its tourist destinations in other states to explore the tourism potential available here,” he said.
Shah said the BJP-led Centre will provide all possible assistance to the plan to develop new tourist destinations in J&K. While tourists throng destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and a few other better-known destinations, there are many scenic spots that have remained off the tourist circuit. Places in Doda district, such as Lal Draman, Guldanda, Jai Valley, and Padri Top, are becoming better known; however, the lack of adequate infrastructure in these areas is a serious problem for tourists.
Other places like Kishtwar, Patnitop, Sanasar, Latti Dhuna, and Panchari in the Jammu region are crying out for attention. In the interim, starting home stays at these destinations has led to a trickle of tourists visiting them. However, a lot more needs to be done to promote these places. It is here that the Centre’s initiatives and funding can be instrumental in creating needed infrastructure to sustain rural livelihoods.
It needs to be mentioned here that Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) targeted tourists at the famous south Kashmir hill resort of Pahalgam on April 22 last year, killing 26 people and dealing a severe setback to the tourism industry. It had led to the closure of many tourist spots due to their remoteness and intelligence assessments of the dangers inherent in reopening them to tourists. However, the National Conference led by Omar Abdullah has, time and again, urged the Central government to allow tourists to these places. Despite this clamour, no decision has been taken to reopen these places due to security concerns.
Shah had arrived in Jammu late on Thursday evening at the start of his visit to the region. On Friday, he had visited forward outposts of the Border Security Force (BSF) at Gurnam and Bobiya (in Hiranagar tehsil) located along the International Border (IB) in Kathua district. The gaps in the fence along the border with Pakistan are a preferred route of infiltration used by terrorists from Pakistan.
Located south of the Kathua-Jammu highway is Pakistan’s Punjab, which is a nursery of terrorists who have often wreaked havoc in J&K in the hinterland after infiltration. Despite strict vigilance, dense winter fog, damage to the border fence due to heavy rains last year, the threat of infiltration remains high. This is now being countered by the deployment of additional manpower and advanced surveillance equipment, with the primary role of countering infiltration remaining in the hands of the BSF.
In Kathua, Shah met the families of several policemen who laid down their lives fighting terrorism and handed over job letters to them. A BJP delegation also called on him on Friday.
“I held meetings in Jammu with the state office-bearers and MLAs and MPs of J-K BJP. The BJP will continue working to ensure the ground-level reach of Modiji’s development initiatives, while expanding the organisation to realise the vision of a developed Jammu and Kashmir, a secure Jammu and Kashmir,” Shah posted on X after the meeting.
