Srinagar: Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday that unabated corruption during previous governments stalled development in Jammu and Kashmir as funds would not reach people.
“Corruption is a disease which for many years affected Kashmir. Crores of rupees disbursed for the Jammu and Kashmir were not reaching to the people. Few people used these funds for their personal benefits. But now the funds are going to directly flow to you,” Naqvi said.
He is the first BJP minister to arrive in Srinagar as part of the government of India’s outreach programme after the abrogation of Article 370 last year. He addressed a gathering of people. Advisor to Lt Governor, Farooq Khan and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary were also present on the occasion.
According to him, the main motive of the ministers’ visit to Jammu and Kashmir was aimed bringing positive changes in the lives of people.
“We want to reach out to the people and listen to their woes and solve their problems. We today came here with a positive approach and mindset,” he added.
He said that it was for the first time that ministers are reaching out to Kashmiri people to hear their grievances.
“The initiatives will not stop here as we will continue visiting the valley. We will stay in touch with the officers also to know about the peoples grievances,” the minister said.
The government of India, according to him, was focused to end growing unemployment within Jammu and Kashmir to pave way for development.
“We are focusing on development and providing enough employment opportunities to the youth. We framed schemes like “HunarHaq” under youth from all the areas will be covered. These schemes will give them employment along with development of the region,” he said adding, “Those who apply for scholarships will get benefitted through central government’s initiatives”.
Naqvi, who laid the foundation stone for a development project at Harwan on the outskirts of the city, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to ensure that the benefits of the positive changes initiated by the Central government should reach the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The government of India has earmarked Rs 1600 crore under Himayat scheme for Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
During his interaction with delegation, most of demand revolved around protection to jobs and land rights for locals.
The delegation, which met the union minister include Jammu and KashmirGujjar, Bakarwaal Youth Conference, Gujjar Tribal Council, National Youth Corps, Block Contractors, Panch and Sarpanchs and Block Development Council members.
“We told him that people of Jammu and Kashmir should have rights on jobs and land. We also narrated problems of Gujjar and Barakwals like lack of water, electricity,” Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar, Bakarwaal Youth Conference vice president Farooq Chaudhary.

Reader correspondent