Creation of UTs of J&K and Ladakh historic, opened flood gates of development : Dr Singh

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh on November 12, 2019, said the historic step of creating the two Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has opened the floodgates of development and progress in the region.

Addressing a delegation of teachers from Jammu & Kashmir UT here, Dr Singh said the Articles 370 and 35A were archaic and only served as impediments to the development of the erstwhile state of J&K. “The abrogation of these Articles also unleashed a war on corruption with the setting up of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, ACB, in the UT Police,” he added.

Dr Singh said since the UTs came into being, the teachers have ceased to be state government employees and now are at a par with the Central Government employees. “Their salaries have been doubled and they can now draw several pecuniary benefits like CGHS healthcare cover, Education Allowance and Hostel reimbursement for Children’s Education and LTC,” he said, according to a PIB release.

He gave a patient hearing to the teachers’ demands for creation of autonomous independent Education Commission for the newly created UTs, transparent transfer policy and DPC of all cadres in the School Education Department besides regular payment of salary.

Dr Singh said PM Narendra Modi has promised a new dawn for the UT of J&K. “As many as eight Medical Colleges have been sanctioned for the UT at Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, and two AIIMS in Jammu and Srinagar,” he said. “Panchayats have been granted Rs One Crore each to undertake development works,” he said. “Besides, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the UT status is temporary and the State status will be restored in Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate moment,” he added, according to a PIB release.