Union Minister Jitendra Singh: Article 370 abrogation brought citizenship rights to vast population

New Delhi, August 25

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decisive leadership in restoring peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that the “historic decision of abrogation of Article 370 brought citizenship rights to a vast population in J&K who were deprived of it for the last seven decades”. He added that the abrogation of Article 370 has allowed even senior leaders from the opposition parties to freely enjoy the region’s newfound stability.

“Votaries of Article 370 in J&K exploited constitutional provisions to serve their political interests,” Jitndra Singh said during a programme.

He also added that it was a vested interest for the ruling dispensation in the erstwhile state of J&K because it enabled them to get elected and form government with a mere 10 per cent or less voting and thus continue their dynasty rule, generation after generation. The Minister said, “As we celebrate the 5th anniversary, some significant developments are highly notable. In the last five years, transformation has happened broadly at four levels i.e. democratic, governance, development and security situation.”

Jitendra Singh recalled that the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Panchayat Act were introduced by the Congress government at the Centre but not made applicable in J&K by the same coalition government. Democratic decentralisation could not take place as Central funds were not available to them before 2019. Singh said, “The credit for bringing peace and development goes to PM Modi who gave confidence to the people in the region and assured that J&K will play a pivotal role in the country’s development and shine as the crown jewel.”