PM Modi gives J&K Rs 80,000 crore bonanza

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special package of Rs 80,000 crore for the all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, saying that the state which suffered enormously during the past two-and-half decades would be taken back to its previous glory.

“Kashmir has suffered a lot over the years. Its two generations have seen their dreams being crushed. I have come here with the conviction to take Kashmir to its previous glory and I can see that day is not too far,” he said.

Mr Modi, who was addressing a rally at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium amid unprecedented security arrangements, said that in order to realise the dream of a new and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has decided to give the package of Rs 80,000 crore. “This is not the end of it. This is the beginning. Delhi will open its treasury for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to rebuild the state,” he said, evoking tremendous applause from the audience which included many seasonal labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other states. Also, policemen in civvies, daily wage and anganwari workers of the government had been asked to ensure their presence at the rally.

This was the Prime Minister’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the PDP-BJP coalition came to power in March this year. He also addressed another public rally at Chanderkote, in Ramban district of the state’s Jammu region, where he later inaugurated a 450 MW Baglihar-II hydroelectric project on the Chenab river.

Mr Modi said the Centre will walk shoulder to shoulder with the Jammu and Kashmir government to help the people and bring every family out of crisis. “I want to tell the youth that this Rs 80,000 crore package should be used to change your destiny, should empower you and build a new Kashmir, a modern Kashmir. With this dream I have come to you and, let me tell you, this is not the end, it is just a beginning,” he said.

The PM, reiterating that he has deep affection for Kashmir and its people, pledged to address issues within the framework of “democracy, humanity and Kashmiriyat” as was envisaged by legendary BJP leader and former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

“It was only here that Vajpayeeji spoke about addressing issues within the framework of insaniyat, jumhooriyat and Kashmiriyat. My vision for Jammu and Kashmir is based on this very thought,” he said.

He also pledged to bring back those days when everyone in the rest of the country used to look forward to visiting Kashmir. “I want to see those days back when every family used to save money to visit Kashmir on their vacations. I want to bring back those days when they will feel your love and enjoy your hospitality and the gifts of mother-nature here again,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi said that the last one-day international in the stadium (the venue of his rally) was played 20 years ago and, he thinks, time has come to renew its lost glory by organising an international match. “A state which has Parvez Rasool, why shouldn’t there be an international match That day should come soon when international cricket resumes here in this stadium,” he said.

Srinagar resembled a virtual fortress ahead of and during the Prime Minister’s visit, with thousands of gun-wielding policemen and members of the CRPF and other Central forces enforcing a stick security lockdown to hold back separatists’ “million march” as a parallel show. Columns of the Army were also part of the tight security arrangement around the rally venue which was also being air surveilled.

Mobile Internet services in Kashmir Valley were blocked in the morning as a precautionary measure. Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, alias Engineer Rashid, was detained for holding a black balloon protest near the venue.