J&K registered unprecedented growth in last few yrs, says LG

'Govt will take care of power bills of poor'

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a socio-economic transformation and registered unprecedented growth across all sectors in the last few years.
Addressing the Hindustan Shikhar Samagam organised by two media houses here, Sinha said his administration has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and has been successful to a certain extent in rooting out militancy, separatism and the ecosystem of conflict profiteering.
"Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J&K is growing at an impressive pace and the rapid development in the diverse sectors over three successive years is unprecedented in the history of the UT," the Lt Governor said.
"People are united for their bright future and committed to building a new J&K of their dreams. Youth are exploring all the opportunities to realise their talent and skill and also supporting the development aspirations of society.
"Women, farmers, tribals, underprivileged, poor and weaker sections are becoming socio-economically empowered," he said.
On the security scenario, the Lt Governor said the record influx of tourists, industrial investments, the successful conduct of the G20 meetings and other national and international events in the Union Territory has sent the message to the world that Jammu Kashmir is peaceful and is on the move.
"We have a policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism and are determined to root out terrorism, separatism and the ecosystem of conflict profiteering. We have been successful to a certain extent and people are living their lives without fear and on their own terms," Sinha said.
A transparent and accountable governance system and seamless access to government services have improved the ease of living of the people and Jammu and Kashmir is leading by example for other states and Union Territories. Sinha said.
Big business houses and companies from across the world are willing to invest in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Reforms in education, health, agriculture and allied sectors, industries, infrastructure, connectivity, power, hospitality, handicrafts, revenue, films, information technology, sports and other sectors have laid a solid foundation for the bright and prosperous future of Jammu and Kashmir and its people, he added.
The Lt Governor also paid tributes to the personnel of the security forces, including police, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
"We will forever be indebted to our brave police, army, and CAPFs personnel for maintaining peace and a secured environment in J&K," he said.
In another event, LG made a big announcement stating that the government will take care of poor man’s power bill but those having palatial houses, I-Phones with 5-internet service and other gadgets have to pay power tariff as per their usage.
“Let me announce today that the government will take care of the poor who can’t afford to pay bills. But those who have palatial houses, I-Phones with 5-G internet data and other gadgets will have to pay power bills as per their usage. They shouldn’t at least make excuses in paying the power bills,” the LG said addressing a gathering at Mini-Secretariat in Southern district of Kulgam. He, however, did not elaborate further on this.
He said that in the last 70 years, 3400 MW power was generated locally in J&K and in the next three years equal MWs will be produced.
The LG said that wherever a feeder is 100 per cent metered, power disruption won’t be just for a minute let alone an hour or so. “I urge people to cooperate with us in getting the smart meter installation process completed as soon as possible,” he said. The LG said that J&K people are getting the cheapest electricity compared to other states. “We have borrowed Rs 20,000 Crore worth electricity from outside in the past three to four years. This won’t do. People must pay as per usage,” he said.
“Given J&K’s topography and snowfall, some projects get delayed. Delay in completion of projects has been given to us in legacy and we are trying to break this tradition of delay in projects’ completion,” he said.
About farmers, he said that at present J&K farmer’s income is at number 5 across the country and time is not far when “our farmer’s income will be number 1.”