Prime Minister Narendra Modi Says Jammu & Kashmir’s Union Territory Status Won’t Be Needed For Long
Modi’s first address since coming to power, repealing Article 370 and splitting Jammu & Kashmir in two union territories.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Watch: Analysing PM Modi's Comments On J&K
Modi Addresses Those Opposing J&K Decisions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it is characteristic of a democracy that some people are against this decision and some people are divided. “I respect their opinions and concerns.”
“The government is replying to issues raised in this debate that's going on. And that's the nature of a democracy.”
But I have a request that they keep interest of the country in mind and help the government in giving J&K and Ladakh a new direction.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Watch Modi’s Full Address Here
Industrialists, Exporters Should Take J&K To The World
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called industrialists and exporters to take local products of Jammu & Kashmir—from the Kahwah tea to Kashmiri shawls—to the world.
He cited the example of a plant found in Ladakh that grows in high altitude and strengthens the immune system in low oxygen areas.
Such a unique thing should be sold across the world. Which Indian wouldn’t want that? And this is just one example. There are many such plants in the region. This will also benefit farmers there.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Modi Urges Setting Up Of Block Development Offices
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is certain that the people of Jammu & Kashmir will reject separatism and adopt the path of rapid development and progress.
I urge the J&K Governor to complete the establishment of block development offices.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
J&K Soon Will Have Its Own MLAs, Chief Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Jammu & Kashmir will soon be able to elect its own representatives and will have its own lawmakers and chief minister. He said he believed that the union territory status will not be needed for long.
“For decades, lakhs of J&K's brothers and sisters couldn't vote or contest in local bodies and assembly elections. I assure the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir that their elected representatives will be chosen by them,” Modi said.
In time, J&K will have its own MLAs, state assembly and chief minister.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Ladakh, however, will continue to be a union territory, Modi added.
'A Well Deliberated Decision'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the decision to repeal Article 370 and designate Jammu & Kashmir as a union territory for an interim period was a well-deliberated one.
He said the reason for this was that a number of state institutions began to function better once J&K went under Governor’s rule. “There was a better influence of good governance seen on the ground there.”
He added that the fiscal deficit of J&K is very high and the Centre will also work towards reducing it.
Equal Benefits For J&K Government Employees
Modi said that with Article 370 and Article 35 A repealed now, Jammu & Kashmir will soon emerge from its turbulent past.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that government employees in J&K will now get amenities on par with other states. Modi said his government will encourage Central PSUs and private companies to offer new avenues of employment in J&K.
Unthinkable That Many Laws Didn't Apply To J&K
Prime Minister said that it was unthinkable that innumerable laws of Parliament were not implementable in one specific region.
The law that was being made for the whole country, that never benefitted more than 1.5 crore people of Jammu & Kashmir. Every child in the country has a right to education. That privilege did not extend to the children of Jammu & Kashmir.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
He added that a number of rights that were enacted for young women were not extended to those in J&K. He said laws to prevent atrocities against Dalits, and ensure protection of minorities were also not enforced in J&K.
Beginning Of A New Era
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that citizens of Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh were deprived of many rights for very long due to Article 370 and Article 35 A.
“A state of inertia had set in due to Article 370, with the belief that nothing would change in the state,” he said.
All that Article 370 and Article 35A gave J&K were separatism, terrorism, dynastic rule, and systemic corruption.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Jammu & Kashmir citizens are getting a fresh start, he added.
'Historic Decision'
We have taken a historic decision. Blockades that the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh had, have been removed now.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Modi's First Address Since Winning Election
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the country at 8 p.m. today—his first since coming to power with a decisive mandate, repealing Jammu & Kashmir’s autonomous status and splitting the state in two union territories.
The last time he addressed the nation was on March 27 during the Lok Sabha polls when he announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite.
The planned address comes just days before the prime minister's customary speech on Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort.
During the address he is expected to explain the government's decisions on abrogating special status to Jammu and Kashmir and splitting the state into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, sources told PTI.
On Tuesday, Parliament approved a resolution abrogating special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution. It also cleared a bill to split the state into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.