J&K’s Statehood will be returned at appropriate time: Amit Shah

SRINAGAR — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir would be given the status of a State at an “appropriate time”.

He said that Section 370 was used for vote bank. He said it while speaking in the Parliament in the context of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Amendment Bill.

Addressing the opposition, the Home Minister asked, “What have you done for the last 70 years? Those who are holding us accountable today, first ask them what they have done for the development of Jammu and Kashmir in the last 70 years,” he said.

“Peace in Jammu and Kashmir is a big thing and the government decides in the interest of the country. No one has been given a separate Constitution. We cannot separate Kashmir from development,” Shah said.

The Home Minister said that Section 370 should have been removed. “Under whose pressure did 370 come into force and over the last 70 years, three families have politicized 370,” he said.

“Jammu and Kashmir is in our hearts. We have to understand the situation and there should be no politics on Kashmir,” he added.

He said that the LG government is trying to take Jammu and Kashmir towards development. He mentioned that the Health Scheme was recently announced in Jammu and Kashmir and every person in Jammu and Kashmir can benefit under this scheme. In addition, vaccination work is progressing very fast.

Amit Shah said, “Our government has already announced the construction of two new AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir and work on them is underway. In addition, seven medical colleges have also been announced. Efforts are being made to provide electricity to every household. So far 1.2 million gas connections have been provided” he clarified.