JAMMU and Kashmir is touching new heights of development and breathing freely after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Thursday. Addressing a public rally, Modi also accused the Congress of misguiding not only the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but the entire nation on Article 370 for a long time. The Prime Minister extended his “advance wishes” for the upcoming holy month of Ramzan and Maha Shivratri, which falls on Friday. “Jammu and Kashmir is touching new heights of development after the abrogation of Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir is touching new heights of development today because it is breathing freely. Jammu and Kashmir has broken the shackles after abrogation of Article 370,” he said at the rally named as‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ at the Bakshi stadium here.

 

This was Modi’s first visit to Kashmir since the Centre abrogated the special status given to the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmirand Ladakh on August 5, 2019. After inaugurating development projects worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore for boosting the agri-economy in the Union territory, Modi said he was “elated to be among the wonderful people of Srinagar”. “The development projectsbeingdedicated today will boost the development of Jammu and Kashmir. A developed Jammu and Kashmir is the priority for a developed India,” he said. Describing J&K as thecrown of thecountry, the Prime Minister said the path to building a developed Jammu and Kashmir will emerge from tourism possibilities and empowerment of farmers. “Jammu and Kashmiris not just aregion but India’s head. A head held high is the symbol of development and honour.

 

Thatis why a developed Jammu andKashmiris the priority of a developed India,” he said. Modi saidthe power of development, tourism possibilities, empowerment of farmers and the leadershipoftheyouthof Jammu and Kashmir will lay the foundation in buildingadeveloped Jammu and Kashmir. He also asked non-resident Indianstosendatleastfive family members to tour the country under‘Chalo India’ programme. With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, there was renewed political interests among Opposition parties about the possibility of an announcement on Assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir by the Election Commission. However, the Prime Minister did not mention anything about polls. Among the projects the PrimeMinisterlaunched include tourism sector worth more than Rs 1,400 croreunderthe“Swadesh Darshan” and “PRASHAD” (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes andaproject for the integrated development ofthe Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.