Kashmiri youth holding bats, not guns: Home Minister

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the biggest achievement of the Prime Minister Narendera Modi led government in J&K was that Kashmiri youth were holding bats instead of guns in their hands while as development is touching new heights in a place that was ignored for 70-years.
“I was forced to give a detailed reply as some members alleged that no development was taking place in J&K after Article 370 revocation,” Shah told Parliament while replying to the discussion on the J&K Re-organisation Bill-2020.
He said the biggest achievement of PM Modi led government in J&K was that today’s youth in J&K are holding bats in their hands instead of guns. “This is we have done in J&K in just 17 months (post abrogation of article 370),” Shah said, adding that as far as the statehood to Jammu & Kashmir “it will be given at the right time.”
He said that he was ready to give clarification to every issues raised in the parliament. “What did others (Congress) do in J&K for the past 70 years? What others couldn’t do, we did just 17 months,” Shah said.
The Union Home Minister said that the country did not need Article 370. “There is no place for two constitutions in one country. We have covered 50,000 families under health scheme and more people are being covered,” he said. “Every single resident will be covered under this scheme.”
Shah said that 4-G internet services were also restored across Jammu & Kashmir. “By 2022, we will connect J&K through train with the rest of the country,” he said. “We are doing everything possible to boost tourism.” He said two AIIMS are being set in J&K while as seven new medical colleges will come up in Jammu & Kashmir soon. “This will help 1100 youth of J&K to become doctors. And you (opposition) is asking us what we have done.?”
He said dynasty rule prevailed in Jammu & Kashmir for the past 70 years and those who ruled filled their own coffers. “On the power sector front, in the past 70 years out of total availability of 14000 MWs only 3500 MWs were explored. In Just 17 months, we ensured that 3450 MWs of power was generated. And members ask us what PM Modi led government has done in J&K,” Shah said.
He said that biggest hurdle for J&K’s development was that people couldn’t buy land there. “This issue stands resolved and factories are all set to come up in Jammu & Kashmir” Shah said. Union Home Minister said that J&K is far better than Rajashtana and Punjab.
He said people of J&K should not worry about their land as “nobody’s land will be snatched.” “We have enough government land bank that can be used for setting up industries that will give fillip to J&K’s economy,” Shah said. “Land bank to be created out of the land being retrieved under Roshni Land retrieval process. Congress and others gave away land under the Roshni scheme and we are retrieving the same for setting up industries.” He said Roshni scheme has been rolled back as it was a major source of corruption.
He said that three families looted J&K for 70 years. “Why can’t refugees live in J&K with dignity and why can’t Valmikis live with honour. Just because they don’t vote for you. We gave them domiciles,” he said. “This is why we revoked Article 370.” He said that Kashmiri Pandits living in various parts of the country are getting Rs 13000 on monthly basis. 3000 KPs have been provided jobs and process is on to build homes of 6000 KPs in J&K,” he said