Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the administration of Jammu and Kashmir for conducting the local body elections in a transparent manner. He said J&K has won Mahatma Gandhijis vision of Gram Swaraj. He also congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for strengthening democracy and praised the people for braving against all odds including that of cold and COVID to participate in the recently concluded elections of the District Development Council.
Donning the traditional Kashmiri attire, Pheran, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today e-launched Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (SEHAT) Scheme for all the residents of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister asserted that the centre is committed towards holistic development of the Union territory.
Prime Minister said, today is a historic day as the Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT Scheme will give free treatment of up to 5 lakh rupees to every beneficiary in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He said, presently, about 6 lakh families of the UT are getting the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Now, after the launch of SEHAT scheme all 21 lakh families will get the same benefit.
Prime Minister said that the treatment under the scheme will not be limited to government and private hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir but will also open up the avenue of getting treatment in any of the hospital connected under the scheme across the country.
Taking a sharp dig at the opposition, Mr. Modi said, that those who preach about democracy should also make efforts to practice it. Citing the case of Puducherry, he said, despite a Supreme Court order the local body election in the Union territory is not being conducted by the incumbent ruling Congress party there.
Enumerating other measures taken by the centre for improving the life and health of residents of the Union Territory, Mr. Modi said that nearly 18 lakh cylinders were refilled under the Ujjwala Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir during the period of COVID pandemic.
He informed that more than 10 lakh toilets have been built in the Union Territory under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He said, all these are attempts by the centre to improve the living condition and health of the people in the Union territory.
Taking part in the function virtually Union Home Minister Amit Shah, said PM Modi wishes to see speedy development in J&K and improvement in the standard of living of people. He said, the Prime Minister wants that democracy should reach the grassroots levels and wishes peace & security for people of the state.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, also spoke on the occasion.
The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (SEHAT) scheme will cover all those residents who are ineligible under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
SEHAT provides a health-cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year. There is no cap on family size and JK residents can avail the benefits of the scheme at all designated hospitals across the country.
After launching the scheme, the Prime Minister interacted with the beneficiaries from Jammu as well as Kashmir and said that he sees it as a “blessing” to witness people benefiting from schemes his government has launched.
In his address, later on, he said that the launch of the PM- JAY Sehat scheme was a golden chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the people elected through these elections must ensure that good governance and democracy reaches to the grassroots. “ People of JK have elected their representatives from within the society, now these representatives will work with them and for them, “ he added.
PM Modi said that the development of Jammu and Kashmir has been among the highly prioritized agendas of his government. We have shown to all that change is possible. We are focused to develop the lives of people of Jammu and Kashmir, the PM said via video conferencing from New Delhi.
He said that different measures and infrastructure development initiatives have been taken up for Jammu and Kashmir by the Central Government. AIIMS centres, IIMS, IITs, two cancer institutes, new medical colleges have been set up in Jammu and Kashmir and many more projects are in offing, he added.
He said his government has been able to generate 3000 megawatt hydropower electricity in the past few years.
PM Modi said that both rail and road connectivity is being strengthened to connect Jammu and Kashmir with rest of the country. Connectivity will increase tourism as well as trade of the UT and improve the lives of people there, he added.
He also said that the government was taking several measures to safeguard the interests of fruit growers and other medium and small businessmen in the UT.
The inaugural session was attended by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, MoS in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh and senior officials of the UT administration and others from various centers.
