PM inaugurates 2 power projects in leh and Kargil, announces Rs 8k cr for roads in J&K
Questioning Pakistan’s military ‘incapability’ for the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the neighbouring country of perpetuating a proxy war against India after losing “the strength to fight a conventional war”.
Modi targeted Pakistan during his address to the troops of the Army and the Air Force at leh during his maiden visit to the mountainous region bordering Pakistan and China. Hours before his arrival in ladakh, the Pakistan Army mildly violated ceasefire in Drass sector, while several violations took place across the line of Control in Jammu region. “The neighbouring country has lost the strength to fight a conventional war, but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism,” he said.
Modi addressed two mammoth public gatherings at Buddhist-dominated leh and Muslim-majority Kargil towns during his second visit to J&K in the past five months.
He inaugurated two power projects of 44 megawatt each at Chutuk in Kargil and Nimo-Bazgo in leh. He also laid the foundation stone for a power transmission line linking the two district headquarters to Srinagar. The Prime Minister also announced to provide additional Rs 8,000 crore for a road project that was shelved by the previous Government due to its huge budget.
ladakh had proved a boon to Modi during the lok Sabha elections as BJP candidate Thupstan Chewang cruised to victory by a thin margin in the Congress-dominated region. Both Hill Councils in Kargil and leh are ruled by the Congress.“We are committed to the development of ladakh,” Modi said at leh and Kargil rallies. However, he parried the contentious political issues like Union Territory status to leh and relocation of the Army from Kargil.
Modi said that his Government would focus on Prakash, Paryavaran and Prayatan (Power, environment and tourism) in ladakh as well as in the entire country. Addressing troops, he said the Government was committed to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing and the modernisation and welfare of the armed forces.
Referring to his frequent J&K visits, he said there was time when the Prime Minister would not visit J&K. “Now, the Prime Minister has come twice,” he said. Modi said that his Government was committed to the development of ladakh region. He said that the road project in ladakh was stalled by the previous Government due to lack of finances. “I have reviewed the project and decided to release Rs 8,000 crore for the completion of the project,” he said to a thunderous applause.
He said J&K is battling problems of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, victims of terrorism, and border shelling. “We are committed for the rehabilitation of displaced people who constitute 20 per cent of J&K population. They are our family and their progress is our responsibility,” he said. He called upon the people to cooperate with the Government to develop a corruption-free society. “There is no dearth of funds for the development, nor is the sweat of people adulterated,” he said. “I don’t swindle money and I would not allow anybody else to do so,” he said.
Modi, however, did not pay heed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s speech in which he pleaded on behalf of the people of Kargil to open Zojila tunnel, develop dependable airstrip in Kargil, and evacuate army from a portion of Khurbathang plateau for civilian constructions. Much to the disappointment of most of the audiences, Modi did not mention any of the three issues.