Vacuum obstructed fulfilment of expectations: Dr Jitendra

Jammu, Nov 23: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitenda Singh Saturday stated that the (political) vacuum, in the absence of an elected government in J&K, led to lack of coordination (among the stakeholders) and also caused a gap between large-scale expectations of varied sections and their realisation.

“Now the elected government is there and our MLAs are also there, it is hoped that things, as per expectations, will move forward with enhanced interaction between the elected representatives and different strata of society,” he said.

The Union Minister was addressing the delegates after inaugurating the new building of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) here.

Sharing concerns expressed by the Jammu Chamber President Arun Gupta including new industrial policy with an emphasis on its review, Dr Jitendra said, “I always believed that we should bring investment but not at the expense of our local traders, businessmen. If the local business entities gain this impression that investment from outside will incur them losses then it (investment) will not yield the desired results. The concerns expressed by the Chamber will again be conveyed at right quarters. Even earlier, we had facilitated the Chamber's meeting with the Union Finance Minister on this account.”

“Nevertheless, the new elected government is in the saddle in J&K. Going by the feelers dropped by the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, we hope that the new government will also extend its cooperation on this account to address the concerns expressed by Chamber vis-a-vis industrial policy,” he said.

The Union Minister also responded to different issues raised by the Chamber leadership including smart meters, Darbar Move.

Dr Jitendra said that the issue related to smart meters raised by the Chamber was flagged during a meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well to redress grievances of people on this account.

“As far as Darbar Move is concerned, emphasis on online transaction (e-governance) has saved Rs 200 Cr. At the same time our contention is that for human interface or public outreach, some officers should be stationed in Jammu and some in Kashmir and this has happened. Demand for divisional status for Jammu has been accepted,” he said, while addressing issues raised by the Chamber.

The Union Minister stated that there was no issue related to Jammu or for that matter J&K, which was brought to the notice of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was not addressed.

In this connection, he particularly referred to Shahpur Kandi national project, which was lingering on for decades but was almost completed following the Prime Minister’s intervention, Mantalai project, Express Corridor and Railway project, which was halted in 2014.

“It (Railway project) was virtually given up due to alignment issue. But PM Modi made it happen,” he stated.

“Chamber President pointed towards many issues, lapses and discriminatory policies towards Jammu in the past. Cognisance has been taken. But I believed that the time was ripe to think how we could make Jammu the mainstream of India’s growth story. We should not lag behind or remain alienated. I always make endeavours on this account,” he said.

Later responding to media queries about election results in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, he said that Mahayuti could attain stupendous victory due to people’s confidence in the double engine government and people-centric welfare schemes of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“People have expressed their belief in the Prime Minister and his policies. We are grateful to the people of Maharashtra for reposing their faith in the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance again,” he said.

With regard to a question about Congress’ allegations about EVMs, he took a dig at it (Congress), saying, “When it wins, EVMs are alright. EVMs become faulty, when and where they lose. People are wiser enough to understand their deceptive politics.”