Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale said that Government of India wants a peaceful and developed Jammu and Kashmir and is committed to develop it on all fronts.
Interacting with the media during a press briefing here at Convention Centre, Athawale said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the gates of development have been opened for Jammu and Kashmir which is evident from the fact that all the centrally sponsored schemes and programmes are now implemented in J&K be that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, MUDRA, PM Ujjwala Yojana, Scholarship Schemes for Students, Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
Athawale further said that hundred percent implementation of so many central schemes in J&K is witness to the fact that Government of India is steadfast to provide social stability at all fronts be that housing, livelihood etc to the people of J&K.
He said that under PM, Narendra Modi, implementation of the social welfare schemes has picked up pace which is evident from the fact that under PM Jan Dhan Yojana, between 2014-2022 (June), 45 crore 55 lakh accounts have been opened, under PM Ujjwala Yojana between 2016-22 (June), 9 crore 29 lakh gas connections have been allotted to the beneficiaries, under PM Awas Yojana (Urban) between 2015-22 (June), nearly 60 lakh 17 thousand houses have been constructed, under PM Awas Yojana (Rural), 02 crore 25 lakh houses have been constructed, under PM Jan Arogya Yojana, 03 crore 35 lakh people have been benefitted, under Ujala Yojana, 36 crore 79 lakh LED bulbs have been issued.
The minister also informed that between 2019-22 (June), 1720 De-addiction centres have been either funded or established under Financial Assistance for the establishment of De-addiction centres.
Athawale said, “under PMAY (Urban) in Jammu Division, 18,590 are the approved beneficiaries out of which 4,568 houses have been constructed, under PMAY (Rural), 1,31,945 have been approved, out of which 80,008 have been constructed in Jammu Division.”
Under PM Jan Dhan Yojana, 26,41,995 accounts have been created in J&K in which 11,92,312 have alone been created in Jammu division and under PM Ujjwala Yojana, 13,16,924 gas connections have been provided in J&K, the minister informed.
Earlier the minister also took a review meeting related to the implementation of social welfare schemes in Jammu and Kashmir with the senior officials of J&K Social Welfare Department which was attended by Director General, Social Welfare Department, J&K, Vivek Sharma besides other senior officials of the department.
Athawale will also take part in the Nelson Mandela Noble Peace Awards Ceremony at Hari Niwas Palace, Jammu.
On recent target killings in Kashmir, he said, “We condemn these target killings and it is our duty to provide security to the minorities in the Valley.”
However, on objectionable remarks for a particular community, he said, “those responsible for this are sacked from the party.”
“Peace should be maintained and those protesting should immediately withdraw it,” said the minister adding that some forces are trying to disrupt peace in the country but it will not be allowed to happen.
