Jammu:The BJP candidate from Jammu-Reasi Parliamentary Constituency,Jugal Kishore Sharma today said the Prime Minister-led Central government’s development initiatives during the last ten years have brought about a transformative change in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
“In the last ten years,the establishment of IIT, IIM and AIIMS like institutions in Jammu region reflects the Modi government’s sincere commitment to end the decades-long discrimination against the Jammu region. The BJP government has been actively engaged in uplifting rural areas across Jammu and Kashmir. Since assuming power, the BJP-led government has implemented various development schemes aimed at fostering growth, prosperity, and inclusivity in rural communities,” Sharma said while addressing an impressive public gathering at his native village Kishenpur.
He said the far-off and rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir faced continued administrative neglect during the successive rules of Congress party and its allies—National Conference and PDP. “They only pushed the rural masses to grave backwardness and never bothered to work for the socio-economic upliftment of rural masses,” Sharma said.
The BJP candidate said the construction of interior roads in rural pockets of Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a pivotal undertaking in uplifting the living standards of the people in villages. “These road projects not only enhance connectivity but also foster economic growth, social integration, and access to essential services in remote areas,” Sharma said. He said the construction of interior roads in villages is a testament to the Modi government's commitment during the ten years rule to improve connectivity in the region.
“The BJP government under various schemes like PMGSY prioritized the construction of roads to connect these marginalized areas, thereby facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services,” the BJP candidate said. Sharma also highlighted the initiatives taken by the BJP government to improve healthcare infrastructure in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. “Our government has taken significant steps to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in J&K by upgrading existing facilities and establishing new healthcare centers in remote areas.
The initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme have provided healthcare coverage to vulnerable populations, offering financial protection against medical expenses,” he said. Similarly, efforts to improve educational infrastructure through schemes like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan have enhanced access to education and promoted skill development among rural youth, thereby empowering them for a brighter future, he added. “The number of medical colleges has gone up from four to 12 in the last ten years while 800 new MBBS and 650 PG seats have been added in various medical colleges of Jammu and Kashmir for the period,” Sharma said. He further said the provision of electricity through schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) has illuminated countless rural households, facilitating economic activities and improving living standards.