KL Report
SRINAGAR
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday described the sanctioning of five Medical Colleges for Jammu and Kashmir as historic decision of Congress led UPA and further stated that it will help to provide advance medical facilities to people in Kathua district in general and hilly and border belts in particular, at door steps.
According to a statement issued to KNS, Azad further highlighted that since the year 1947 only three Medical Colleges were here in Jammu and Kashmir. But now, the tally has gone to eight as five more have been sanctioned by Congress led UPA government. “It is not mere an announcement but the amount for its set up has also been released and soon after the Model Code of Conduct, you will see its visibility around you,” further asserted Azad and added “Super Specialty Hospital on the pattern of AIIMS, has also been made functional in Jammu, which would help the people of state to get advance medical care in home state”.
Addressing series of public meetings in hilly belts of Billawar and Basohli Assembly segments of Kathua district, Azad, who is contesting Lok Sabha election from Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency, mentioned towards decision of his ministry to open Medical College at Kathua, and highlighted that “Five Medical Colleges have been sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir and the amount for its set up has also been sanctioned. Soon it would come up in working condition. He said that this decision has been taken due to problems being faced by the residents of Kathua and particularly the people living all along border and hilly belts of the district”.
“Now, your children would not have to go far off either at Jammu or in other states of the country for Medical Education. Your children would become doctors in Kathua only. Who has done this? Has the decision taken to please any particular community? Has any other political party than Congress party, ever concentrated on such issues which would help the people to prosper? Instead of exploiting the sentiments of people on caste and religious lines, what positive and progressive role have you seen of such political parties? It is Congress party’s vision, which has delivered five Medical Colleges to J&K and especially to Kathua district. This decision would provide advance medical facilities to one and all irrespective of any caste or religion,” pointed out Azad further cautioning the people to give befitting reply to those who are exploiting religious sentiments in elections.
“Revolutions never take place in a day, but we are trying utmost best to give sigh of relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and other states” said the thoughtful leader further adding, “Creation of new administrative units, opening of hospitals, health centers, presence of AASHA workers, NRHM reveals our commitment and dedication towards the rural populace”.
Seeking mandate of the people to accelerate developmental activities in remotest and far-flung areas, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Congress was committed to counter and defeat divisive forces tooth and nail and would always work for development of the country and countrymen irrespective of any caste, colour or religion.
Azad further reminded the people about various developmental projects which were started during his tenure as Chief Minister for the development of this region. “Many projects are still incomplete”, he said and sought support of the people to finish that incomplete projects to improve their socio-economic conditions.
Observing that Congress is contesting Lok Sabha elections on development plank, Azad said that during its regime Congress had proved how to deliver good governance to the people.
Azad called upon the people to beware of the policies being formulated by the divisive forces and urged them to strengthen the hands of secular Congress party, which ensures development and integrity of nation. Azad said, “It is not just me but all of you are Ghulam Nabi Azad. So, if you want developmental works to continue, all of you must caste vote in your own favour by switching on Congress button on April 17th to meet the left out dreams”.
Accompanied by Minister of State for Cooperatives, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, MLC and Congress spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma and senior NC leader of Basohli, Devinder Singh Bindu, Azad reminded the people that “when I took over the reign of the state in 2005, I finalized number of new road construction projects to connect the far flung and hilly belts with town areas. And almost 40 to 45 per cent work has already been completed under the leadership of chief minister of Omar Abdullah heading Congress-NC coalition government in the state. He assured them the road projects initiated by him during his tenure as chief minister of the state are on anvil to bring them at par with town populace.
Later in the afternoon, Ghulam Nabi Azad landed in Kathua town and held series of mass contact programmes in town and adjoining villages including Dhani Bhagta, Padyari-Muthi and Chandwan.
During the meeting with number of ex-Corporators of Municipal Council, Kathua, organized by its ex-president and Congress Block president, Sohan Lal Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Azad highlighted the historic decisions of Congress led UPA and state coalition government, facilitating people with health care and education in the absence of road connectivity.
While lashing out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Azad said, “Their policies to cheat people on the basis of religion will never bring them to Parliament as voter always stays with the surface”. The BJP cannot veil the remarkable achievements of Congress party, especially the golden era of past ten years, which reach out to grass roots level be it education, health, infrastructures, national highways, railway tracks and other progressive steps.
Azad said, “When any one takes a flight, he can witnesses the machineries which have been put in service to connect the people of the rural areas with the urban areas through the road network, the dream was envisioned by Congress and it is Congress gratifying it”. In the past ten years of UPA-I and UPA-II, the people of hilly areas are sighing relief and in the UPA-III they will be in age of comfort.
