Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jammu & Kashmir today to celebrate National Panchayati Raj Day. In Samba district, he visited Palli Panchayat. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for multiple development initiatives worth Rs 20,000 crore. He also launched the Amrit Sarovar initiative. Shri Manoj Sinha, Shri Giriraj Singh, Dr Jitendra Singh, and Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil were present on the occasion.
In his remarks on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that today is a landmark day for Jammu and Kashmir. He thanked the people for their support. The Prime Minister said, due to his long association with the state, he understands the issues involved and expressed happiness about the focus on connectivity in the projects inaugurated and for which foundation stone was laid today. “Projects worth 20 thousand crore rupees related to connectivity and electricity have been inaugurated and the foundation stone has been laid here.
The Prime Minister underlined the changed system of working in Jammu and Kashmir, by giving the example of the 500 KW solar plant that is being established in three weeks whereas earlier even the movement of files from Delhi used to take 2-3 weeks. He said all houses of Palli Panchayat getting solar power is a perfect example of Gram Urja Swaraj and the changed way of working will take Jammu and Kashmir to new heights. The Prime gave assurance to the youth of Jammu. He said “friends, believe my words, youth of the valley mark my words, the difficulties faced by your parents and grandparents, you will not face those problems. This I will accomplish, and I have come to assure you of that.”
Shri Modi referred to India’s leadership on international environmental and climate change platforms and expressed pride in the strides that Palli Panchayat is making towards becoming the first carbon neutral panchayat. “Palli Panchayat is moving towards becoming the first Carbon Neutral Panchayat in the country. Today, I also got an opportunity to interact with the people’s representatives of the villages of the country, in the village of Palli. Many congratulations to Jammu and Kashmir for this big achievement and development works”, he said.
The Prime Minister said that “the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day in Jammu and Kashmir marks a big change.” Shri Modi expressed deep satisfaction and pride that democracy has made way to grass roots in Jammu and Kashmir. “Be it democracy or resolve for development, today Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example. In the last 2-3 years, new dimensions of development have been created in Jammu and Kashmir”, the Prime Minister stressed. For the first time, elections to the three-tier Panchayati Raj system- Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and DDC have been held in Jammu and Kashmir.
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