Article 370 Abrogation Led To J&K, Ladakh’s Total Integration With India: Govt

Srinagar: The Government of India on Tuesday said that after constitutional changes and reorganization of the erstwhile State, the UTs have been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation.

Responding to questions from Asaduddin Owaisi and Syed Imtiaz Jaleel, Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said that after the constitutional changes and reorganization of the erstwhile State of Jammu-Kashmir, the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation. “As a result, all the rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and benefits of all the Central Laws that were being enjoyed by other citizens of the country are now available to the people of Jammu-Kashmir.

The change has brought about socio-economic development in both the new UT’s i.e. UT of Jammu-Kashmir and the UT of Ladakh,” he said in the reply as per GNS, adding, “Empowerment of people, removal of unjust Laws, bringing in equity and fairness to those discriminated since ages who are now getting their due along with comprehensive development are few of the important changes that are ushering both the new Union Territories towards the path of peace and progress.”

He said that no political leader is under house arrest in the J&K.

“Besides regular flow of funds under various schemes by different ministries of the Government of India, an amount of Rs. 30,757 crore has been allocated in the Financial Year 2020-21,” he said, adding, “Under the Prime Minister’s Development Package announced in 2015 for the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir, Rs 80,068 Crs continue to be spent for 63 major development projects (54 in the UT of J&K and 9 in the UT of Ladakh) in Road, Power, Health, Tourism, Agriculture, Horticulture, Skill Development sectors etc.”

Under the package, he said, the Govt. of India had approved creation of 3,000 additional State Government jobs for the Kashmiri migrants at a cost of Rs. 1,080 crore, which was in addition to 3000 jobs for the migrants, created under the PMRP-2008. Under the HIMAYAT scheme, 15,142 canditates have been imparted job oriented training in ITeS, Sales and Customer service, Hospitality etc.

“Till 31st July, 2020, 6763 youths are undergoing training and 6556 youths have got employment. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana has also been targeting the youth for training in Agriculture, Automotive, Banking and Financial services, Apparel, Make up & Home furnishing, Beauty and wellness, Construction etc.”

Further, he said, all the flagship schemes of the Government of India, including various centrally sponsored schemes and the individual beneficiary centric schemes, are also being proactively implemented in both UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh. (GNS)