At G-20 meet, LG says J-K witnessing new era of development

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new era of limitless possibilities of growth and peace after sustained efforts of the government to ensure the isolation of terror ecosystem that was being supported from across the border, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said at a G20 meeting in Srinagar on Tuesday.
Addressing delegates from various countries on the second day of the meeting of the G20 tourism working group, Sinha flagged the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and dwelt on the development initiatives undertaken by the government in the region, besides the opening of Jammu and Kashmir for the film industry and the rising foreign investments.
Jammu and Kashmir, known for the peaceful co-existence of almost all religious sects, “had to suffer state-sponsored terrorism by our neighbouring country”, Sinha said without naming Pakistan.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development schemes, which empowered masses and Union Territory’s effective administration, “ensured isolation of the terror eco-system which thrived with the support from across the border”, he said.
“Jammu Kashmir is witnessing a new era that has opened limitless possibilities of growth and peace. Now even foreign investments are also coming into Jammu and Kashmir, green shoots of better times people are anxiously looking up to,” Sinha said during his address at the SKICC, the venue for the third G-20 meeting on tourism.
The meeting is being held under tight security and security forces have ensured that the nefarious plans of terror groups are defeated. The two roads – which approach the meeting venue – have been sealed. Checkpoints have been erected at many places in the city here and security forces personnel were undertaking random checking and frisking of vehicles.
Sinha, while running the delegates through broad contours, said that “our deep dive initiatives demonstrate” India’s resolve that Jammu Kashmir should also benefit from the virtues of democracy like the rest of the states and Union Territory.
“Equally pertinent is that tourism cannot grow in isolation. The economics of it is fine, that tourism needs good infrastructure, sound policies and effective and responsive administration.

“No less fundamental to me is the fact that only peace and happiness of people can bring warmth in the hospitality, we Indians eternally enjoy. And, I would like to mention here that tourism in Jammu Kashmir is also a reflection of the multi-religious and multi-cultural ethos of India,” he said. Sinha said Prime Minister Modi has eliminated injustice, exploitation and discrimination which several sections of society faced for seven long decades owing to circumstances that evolved mostly because of orchestration from abroad.
J-K stands among the developed regions of India on some measurable milestones, and “we are committed to people’s prosperity both economically and socially,” he said.
Grassroots democracy has been strengthened, new industries are coming up, rapid agricultural growth is making our villages prosperous, infrastructure development is progressing rapidly and our emphasis on technology is transforming J-K into a digital society, he added.

Referring to the boom in tourism, Sinha said last year a record of over 18 million tourists visited the union territory. Tourism contributed more than seven per cent to J-K’s GDP last year, he added. The LG said more than 300 films were shot in J-K last year and after a long pause of almost four decades, J-K has revived its relationship with Bollywood and launched a film policy in 2021 to attract more investment into the film sector and to make Jammu Kashmir the most popular film shooting destination. “I am confident that under the PM’s leadership, J-K will soon find its place in the top 50 destinations of the world and will be on the bucket list of travellers across the globe,” he said.

Union Tourism Minister G K Reddy, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh as well as Indian emissary to the G-20 Amitabh Kant addressed the delgates.
“The ongoing working group meeting is the biggest in terms of attendance. Fifty-nine delegates from 27 countries are participating in the working group meeting,” the LG said later said at a press conference.

Referring to India’s presidency of the G20, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said at the meeting that the country is ready to share global responsibility as far as our obligation towards the economy, environment, and society is concerned.