SRINAGAR: Home Minister Amit Shah declared the commencement of a new era marked by happiness and peace in Jammu and Kashmir, attributing the positive shift to the scrapping of Article 370. Speaking at a virtual event from New Delhi, Shah highlighted significant achievements, emphasizing the region’s transformation since the historic move.
Shah revealed that in 2023, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed no incidents of stone-pelting, marking a remarkable change from 2010 when there were 2,654 organised stone-pelting events. The decline in terrorist incidents stood at 66 per cent, and civilian killings witnessed an 81% drop since the abrogation of Article 370.
The Home Minister also addressed the inauguration of a fully air-conditioned e-bus service in Jammu, consisting of 100 buses costing Rs 561 crore for operation and maintenance over 12 years. Of these, 25 buses are 12 meters long and 75 buses are 9 meters long. Shah underscored the environmental benefits of the initiative and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to spreading environmental awareness globally.
Shah distributed over a thousand appointment letters for the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Examination-2024 and compassionate appointments during the event. He emphasised the transparency in the selection process, stating that appointments were made based on merit, signaling an end to the era of recommendations.
In his address, Shah congratulated the 209 successful candidates, including 96 officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service, 63 officers of Account Gazette Service, and 50 officers of the Police Service. He noted that the new recruits symbolise a shift towards a merit-based system, free from political influence and corruption.
Shah said that due to the transparent system under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime, these officers have got these jobs on the basis of merit. He said now, jobs are provided not on the basis of recommendation slip but on the basis of examination papers. He said that earlier it was impossible to get a job without political recommendation or corruption.
Shah highlighted the achievements in filling vacancies after the abrogation of Article 370, with 34,440 positions filled by various boards and commissions. He assured that stringent measures have been taken to eliminate corruption in the appointment process.
The Home Minister also recognised National Voters Day, urging the youth to participate in the democratic process. He mentioned the success of local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the ongoing delimitation process, ensuring fair representation.
Highlighting the broader developmental initiatives, Shah outlined the substantial increase in investments, growth in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), establishment of educational institutions, and improvements in healthcare and infrastructure. He emphasized the government’s commitment to holistic development in the region.
