J&K, northeast NDA government's biggest priorities: Singh

Union minister Jitendra Singh today said Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern region were the "biggest priorities" of the NDA government and asked the people of these states to take "full advantage" of the Centrally-sponsored schemes.
"As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I being a representative of the state and a worker at the Prime Minister's Office, can say with authenticity that the region, along with the entire north-east, is the biggest priority of this government," he told the gathering at the inaugural event of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which was launched here.
Singh said since the formation of the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir, he has accompanied five Union ministers to lay foundation stones of various developmental works in the state. "Had such a thing happened in the past?" he asked.

"Likewise, we have started a process in the north-east as the Prime Minister has directed a visit of eight ministers to the region every 15 days so that a message goes out that you need not come to Delhi with your complaints and that Delhi will reach you," the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region said.
He claimed India was on the path to becoming the "biggest power" in the world.
"Our country is guiding the entire world on the path of progress and development and the youth is looking for different avenues. Our youth (in Jammu and Kashmir) should not lag behind.

"India is standing at the door to becoming the biggest power in the world and we need to take full advantage of the opportunities rather than depriving ourselves of the benefits," Singh said.

Lauding Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, he said irrespective of the situation, the promise of development should not face any obstacle.
"The chief minister is worth praising. Whatever the situation and time, the promise of development should not be dishonoured. It is a joint promise of the state and the Centre," Singh said.
In an apparent reference to the separatists, he said they were "depriving" the people of their right to live. "Every poor person should be given his rights. It is the responsibility of those sitting here (government) as well as those responsible for the prevailing situation.

"We have no right to deprive a poor person of his rights," Singh said, adding, "depriving the poor of their rights would mean that we have failed in our responsibility."
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the schemes launched by the Centre, the Union minister said he had taken up construction of 1,200 toilets personally in the border areas of Jammu region for the benefit of the womenfolk.