Union Minister of State (MoS), Home, G Krishan Reddy on Wednesday arrived here on a two-day visit to educate people about various projects given by centre for development of Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A.
Assertng that Article 370 has hampered the development of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Reddy, while interacting with various delegations in twin central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal, said that the Centre was committed to bring prosperity to the Union Territory.
He said the development of Jammu and Kashmir was the new focal point of Centre under the leadership of Narandra Modi.
This is the second visit of a central minister to the valley after abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh.
Official sources told UNI that soon after landing at Srinagar International Airport, the minister went to Sheikhpora Panchayat Ghar in Budgam, 3 km from Airport. “Mr Raddy interacted with various delegations at the Panchayat Ghar,” he said.
“Article 370 has so far hampered the development of J&K. India is a great and prosperous nation and development of J&K is a new focal point of centre,” he said while addressing the delegations at Budgam.
The minister also assured them that their land rights and jobs will be protected.
After concluding his visit at Budgam, the minister went to Ganderbal, where he met various delegations at Mini Secretariat.
Mr Raddy’s visit to central Kashmir comes in the wake of outreach programme launched by the centre to educate people about various developmental projects and schemes, including PMDP, flagship schemes and iconic projects, benefiting people in J&K. However, interestingly out of 36 Union Ministers visiting J&K, only five will interact with people in Kashmir valley.