Prime Minister inaugurates Sehat Scheme in J&K

SRINAGAR — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Kashmir is witnessing peaceful atmosphere for the first time since the eruption of militancy since 1990. He said post 5 August, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has progressed by leaps and bounds while developmental schemes are in full swing.

Addressing the twin gatherings in Srinagar and Jammu through virtual mode on the eve of inauguration of Ayushman Bharat-Sehat Scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Home Minister said that without peace and security, development and tourism was not possible.

“I am glad to see tourism picking up in Kashmir,” he said and expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha.

He said whatever promises the Prime Minister has made with the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be fulfilled and Government is committed to take Jammu and Kashmir to the new heights of development.

While talking about recently concluded DDC elections, Shah said that for the first time, elections were held “without shedding a single drop of the blood.”

“I was glad to see huge number of people coming out to take part in the elections. Now that the three-tier Panchayat Raj system is in place in J&K, the local representatives elected will take up the governance related issues and resolve them on priority. Money will directly reach villages and districts rather than the Jammu Kashmir administration,” Shah said.

Shah said democracy has thrived and they have fulfilled their promise of taking democracy at the doorstep of every village.

“In every meeting that is chaired by the Prime Minister regarding J&K, focus remains on development, infrastructure building and creating a secure and peaceful environment in the UT. I would like to mention here that PM Modi and his team is committed to take J&K to new heights on developmental front,” Shah said, adding that efforts put in by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 for better, safe and secure Jammu and Kashmir have started showing results.

He said in coming years, Jammu and Kashmir will witness complete peace and prosperity. “Everyone will benefit with the schemes launched by our Government. Under Ayushman Bharat-Sehat Scheme, every single member of the family will get Rs. 5 lakh health insurance cover and there are 229 government hospitals and 35 private hospitals empanelled for this scheme to serve the poor,” he said.