‘Discrimination Was A Norm And Social Welfare Was An Exception’
Awantipora- Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday that deliberate attempts were made to keep Jammu and Kashmir away from progress & prosperity due to Article 370 and 35-A, while “discrimination was a norm and social welfare was an exception”.
Sinha made these remarks while addressing a seminar on ‘Society, Culture & Social Change: Kashmir & Beyond’ organised by Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Indian Sociological Society here on Tuesday, an official spokesperson said.
Underscoring that mobility, access to growth, greater control is the key for socio-economic growth, he said, the LG observed that a large population of J&K was deprived of it for a long time.
“The transformation post 2019 has empowered every section of society with access to all benefits provided by the constitution,” Sinha said.
“J&K UT’s socio-economic & cultural sector is witnessing transformation. We aim for higher economic growth, fast infrastructure development while preserving & promoting our cultural ethos,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, the LG observed that deliberate attempts were made to keep Jammu Kashmir, the land of spirituality and wisdom, away from progress & prosperity due to Article 370 and 35-A.
Sinha, he said, further stated that the lack of access to benefits brought stagnation to growth.
“Discrimination was a norm and social welfare was an exception. However, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all the progressive laws were implemented and reforms were introduced to bring J&K at par with other developed states,” the LG said.
Speaking on the social transformation taking place in different sectors in Jammu and Kashmir in the past three years, the LG, as per the spokesperson said that accelerated pace of development, participative, transparent and accountable governance system, massive investment flow, easy accessibility of public service, empowerment of women and deprived section of the society is being ensured to end Social-inequality.
“The unprecedented change taking place in Jammu and Kashmir is also helping to promote the cultural activities. A cinema hall is opening this month after three decades. The Culture of organizing literary festivals, art camps have picked up across the UT. Local Handicrafts and handlooms sectors have been revived and a new dawn has been witnessed by the tourism sector,” Sinha said.
Asserting that India thrives in its diversity, the LG as per the spokesperson said that moral and social values, ancient tradition and cultural legacy is the real wealth of our society.
“We have overtaken the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy which shows our socio-economic development derives strength from these values,” Sinha said.
“Today, the Indian Diaspora is considered the largest and the most prosperous group in the world and people of Indian origin including J&K have become the significant driver of global growth,” he added.
The LG, the spokesperson said, congratulated VC, IUST, Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo and Convener of the event, Prof Abha Chauhan for facilitating an open academic dialogue which brought together experts, sociologists, academicians from India and abroad to discuss change in the backdrop of accelerated development and globalization.
Sinha, he said, also maintained that the two-day seminar will generate actionable recommendations that have the potential to accelerate the means of welfare of the general populace.
“He further observed that all such recommendations will be incorporated in the policy making by the UT administration and implemented on ground for the welfare of the common man of Jammu Kashmir,” the spokesperson added.
He further said that Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor IUST, in his welcome address highlighted the significance of academia in finding solutions to the problems of the society and the world.
“He further underscored the University’s crucial role of guiding and preparing the future human capital,” the spokesperson added.
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