Previous govts neglected Chenab valley sub-region: Dr Jitendra

Doda, Mar 9: Union Minister of state in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh Saturday alleged that earlier governments neglected the entire sub-region of erstwhile Doda district and created social strife by playing politics of division.

“However, under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we ensured equitable development and restored communal harmony,” he said.

He stated this while speaking to the media and addressing a public rally after inaugurating the Agri StartUp Exhibition here today.

The rally was attended by thousands of people who had turned up from all parts of the twin districts of Kishtwar and Doda including Bhaderwah.

Dr Jitendra said that the analysts would find it difficult to answer as to why Doda remained backward despite the fact that after independence, there was not a single occasion when Doda did not have its representative both in the union cabinet as well as in the J&K cabinet.

“District Doda has today emerged on the world map because Bhaderwah has given the world lavender and purple revolution which were exhibited in the Republic Day parade at New Delhi and PM Narendra Modi spoke in detail about it in “Mann Ki Baat.” Ignoring vote-bank politics, the PM ensured people of the country should get what they needed. Taking a cue from PM Modi, we have also sought to follow a different political culture of reaching out equally to all sections of people regardless of religion or caste,” he said, adding that the people of Doda belt were traditionally peace-loving and patriotic, and they had refused to migrate out even during the peak of militancy.

“New National Highway 244 from Khillani to Sudhmahadev touching Goha Kalota; approval of Chattergala tunnel and Kaljugar tunnel; series of hydropower projects and airport under Udan in Kishtwar; centrally funded Medical College in Doda; High Altitude Medicine Plant in Bhaderwah, etc all happened in last 10 years,” Dr Jitendra said.

The Union Minister said that a large number of projects brought to the Doda region in the last 10 years not only brought about transformation but were also meant to change the mindset.  “Various welfare schemes launched not only meant social and economic transformation but also aroused several semi-conscious aspirations, particularly in youth, which had got buried due to dismay and pessimism of the past,” he said.

Dr Jitendra said, “All the works have been carried out with an urge to serve the general public from the core of the heart and to provide the benefits rising above the politics of caste, creed and religion. Prime MInister Modi has sought to create a new work culture in politics which our successors will be bound to follow.”

He underlined that road connectivity, power supply and medical facilities were improved in Doda in the last 10 years. “A web of highways has been spun in the district, with the largest number of roads constructed under PMGSY here,” the minister said.

He stated, “This constituency holds distinction as being the lone Lok Sabha constituency where there are three medical colleges, namely in Doda, Kathua and Udhampur.”

The Union Minister expressed happiness that Modi had been able to change the work culture and perception about democracy by undertaking all round development and ensuring delivery of schemes as and where needed. He said the government reignited those hopes which had faded, and rekindled aspirations among youth who had resigned to their fate due to the prevailing work environment.

On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh also facilitated a few young farmers who emerged as role models by increasing their produce by availing the benefits of various Modi schemes.