Govt’s efforts to achieve new J&K to be bolstered, post SC decision on Art 370: LG Sinha

Jammu, Dec 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that the efforts of the government to achieve “new and developed Jammu and Kashmir” would be further bolstered, following the Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370.

While addressing a gathering in a function, organised to commemorate the contribution of General Zorawar Singh here, LG Sinha welcomed the judgment saying it would enthuse the hopes and aspirations of residents of J&K, who were contributing to take J&K forward on the path of progress.

“The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the steps taken by the central government under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2019, aimed at carving new J&K and aligning it with the rest of the country. The SC verdict will further galvanise the integrity of the country. Besides, it will help strengthen efforts of both the governments, working in tandem, to take J&K to new heights. Efforts will be amplified to provide justice to all, particularly those deprived of their constitutional rights for decades,” Sinha remarked.

“The verdict will pave the way for a new spree of social and economic development in J&K which is witnessing a wave of positive change. People are living a normal life and aspiring to reap the benefits of peace. We will make all out efforts to realise the dreams of the Prime Minister of a new and developed J&K. Strikes, stone-pelting have been relegated to the past,” he said, while referring to animated nightlife and cinemas as indicators of positive change.

He also talked about the tourism boom, while mentioning the record 1.88 Cr tourist footfall of last year. “New J&K is known for tourism, not terrorism. The number of tourists by November has already crossed two crore,” he said.