Terrorism shrunk in Valley, time to focus on Dev: Malik

JAMMU: Noting that there was a marked improvement in the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said that the incidents of terrorist activities have come down in Kashmir Valley, largely because the people of the strife-torn state are not giving shelter to militants.
It is now the time to focus on development of the state instead, said Malik while addressing the 5th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog in New Delhi.
Presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the meeting of the centre government’s policy think tank was attended by senior union ministers and almost all the chief ministers of the state. Since there is no elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, the state was represented by Governor Satya Pal Malik.
On his part, Malik put across his points strongly in the meeting and presented figures to prove as to how terrorism has shrunk in the state.
He also gave a Powerpoint Presentation and figures about terror activities.
"Terrorism has shrunk in the Valley and the situation has improved a lot," NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar quoted Malik as saying, adding that there was a marked improvement in the law and order situation in the state.
"As the situation has improved, now we need to focus on state's development. We also need to focus on agricultural products," he said.
The Governor claimed that the administration was getting information about terrorists and their activities by locals and that they are not offering shelter to those involved in militant activities.
Malik was assured by Home Minister Amit Shah that the Centre stands behind them, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the Ministry of Home Affairs will coordinate with Jammu and Kashmir and all other states affected by terrorism and Maoism in decisively ending and driving the agenda of development in the affected regions.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi Saturday said the goal of making India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024 is challenging but surely achievable, as he asked states to focus on their core competencies and work towards increasing the GDP right from the district level.
Modi also announced setting up a high-powered committee comprising some chief ministers and union ministers on structural reforms in agriculture.
After the meeting, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar told reporters that composition and terms of reference about the high powered committee on agriculture reforms would be announced in the next few days. The committee, he added, would be submitting its report in two-three months.
In his inaugural address, the prime minister also underlined the need for taking effective steps to tackle drought in various parts of the country.
According to an official release, Modi recalled the recent General Elections as the world's largest democratic exercise and said that it is now time for everyone to work for the development of India. He spoke of a collective fight against poverty, unemployment, drought, flood, pollution, corruption and violence.
The prime minister said that everyone has a common goal of achieving a New India by 2022. He described Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and PM Awaas Yojana as illustrations of what the Centre and the states can accomplish together.
Stressing that the focus should be on collective responsibility for achieving short-term and long-term goals, Modi said the goal to make India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024, is "challenging, but can surely be achieved".
The size of India's economy was estimated at USD 2.75 trillion at end-March 2019.
States, he added, should recognise their core competence, and work towards raising GDP targets right from the district level.
He also stressed on increasing exports from the country.
Amid drought-like situation in several parts of the country, Modi called for effective steps to tackle drought and emphasised that "per-drop, more-crop" strategy should be promoted.
India has faced deficit monsoon rains for the last five years and water management has become a major issue.
The release further said Modi reiterated the Union Government's commitment to double incomes of farmers by 2022. To achieve this, he said there should be a focus on fisheries, animal husbandry, horticulture, fruits and vegetables.
He said that the benefits of PM-KISAN - KisanSammanNidhi - and other farmer-centric schemes should reach the intended beneficiaries well within time.
Noting that there is a need for structural reform in agriculture, Modi spoke of the need to boost corporate investment, strengthen logistics, and provide ample market support. He said the food processing sector should grow at a faster pace than foodgrain production.
Giving further details about the meeting, the Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman said the stress was on boosting the agriculture sector and many of the states suggested a review of the agricultural produce market committees and norms related to essential commodities law.
Kumar said several states made many suggestions regarding the forthcoming Union Budget. He said the suggestions would help in budget making.
He also said devolution of funds from the Centre to states has almost doubled to Rs 41 lakh crore in the past four years.

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