“People’s Participation in J&K’s Transformative Journey Visible on Ground”
Srinagar: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, emphasized on Thursday that Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is currently experiencing a transformative period of peace and security under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, following the revocation of Article 370. Shah highlighted those past challenges such as organized strikes and stone-pelting resulting in loss of lives are now things of the past. He expressed that the present scenario is characterized by beauty, with the region enjoying the positive outcomes of peace. According to him, a significant change is sweeping across J&K, affecting every sector. The post-abrogation of Article 370 has led to the emergence of a new and empowered Jammu and Kashmir, filled with confidence and steadily progressing towards peace, prosperity, and security. Contrary to the predictions of skeptics who anticipated doom and saw no positive change, Shah reassured that J&K’s development journey is on an unhindered path. He emphasized the forward march of the region, stating that it is confidently moving towards a future marked by development and progress. The Union Home Minister addressed a virtual gathering at the Jammu Convention Centre from New Delhi, following the launch of the e-bus service in Jammu and the distribution of 1194 appointment letters to candidates selected through the Jammu & Kashmir Combined Examination-2024 and those chosen for compassionate appointment. In Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, along with other dignitaries, graced the occasion. Highlighting the positive changes in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) post the abrogation of Article 370, Amit Shah remarked that the Union Territory is undergoing a significant transformation. Instead of incidents like militancy, bomb blasts, firing, stone-pelting, and strikes, the region is now witnessing a new era characterized by the presence of educational institutions, industries, infrastructure, and active involvement of J&K’s people, particularly the youth. Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ushering in this “new era of peace and security in Jammu & Kashmir.” Addressing skeptics who claim that nothing has changed, Shah presented statistics to reinforce the transformation. He stated that since the abrogation of Article 370, there has been a 70 percent decline in militancy-related incidents, an 81 percent decrease in civilian deaths, and a 48 percent reduction in the death of security forces. Notably, incidents of organized stone-pelting have gone from 2654 in 2010 to zero in 2023, and organized strikes have similarly diminished from 132 in 2010 to none in 2023. In 2010, 112 civilians lost their lives and 6235 sustained injuries due to stone-pelting, but in 2023, there were no civilian deaths, and injuries were also reduced to zero. Shah emphasized these improvements as indicators of the positive impact of the changes brought about in J&K.
Speaking to the 209 successful candidates of the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Examination-2024 batch who received their appointment letters virtually, Amit Shah took a dig at the practices of previous regimes. He remarked that gone are the days when jobs were secured through recommendation slips from ministers or political figures, ignoring merit. Shah emphasized the shift towards a merit-based system, stating that the era of “recommendation slips” is now replaced by a focus on merit. Shah provided statistics, stating that since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in August 2019, a total of 34,440 vacancies have been filled. Out of these, 24,000 were filled by the Jammu & Kashmir Service Selection Board, 3900 by the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission, 2637 by the Jammu & Kashmir Police, and 2436 by the Jammu & Kashmir Bank. He highlighted that the filling of these appointments was conducted without room for corruption, indicating a positive shift in the recruitment process. On the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed appreciation to the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah for prioritizing the overall progress of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the significance of the 100 e-Buses dedicated to the people, stating that they will revolutionize smart mobility in Jammu city and its surroundings, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for the citizens. During the event, 885 compassionate appointment letters were issued, demonstrating the commitment to ensuring that the families of martyrs and hardworking employees lead lives of dignity, stated the Lt Governor. He pledged to expedite the compassionate appointment process for the remaining cases, reiterating their commitment to wiping tears from every eye and ensuring a happy and successful life for every family in Jammu and Kashmir. The Lt Governor underscored the J&K Government’s efforts towards the socio-economic empowerment of all sections of society, particularly the youth. Emphasizing merit-based and transparent recruitment, the Lt Governor noted that since August 2019, 31,830 appointments have been made, and recruitments for 12,264 posts are currently in progress He attributed these positive changes to the guidance and efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, affirming their earnest endeavors to realize the potential and dreams of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
