Politics

‘Why Did Nehru Take Kashmir to UN?’ Nirmala Sitharaman Questions in Rajya Sabha | Highlights

March 23, 2022
Bharat Times English News

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that after the abrogation of Article 370, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is bringing justice, democracy and economic opportunities. Responding to the nearly four-hour long discussion for the budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, he said there has been a significant decline in terrorism-related incidents and there has been an increase in investment and jobs opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Here are the top quotes from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech:

• Various impediments to industrial development prevailing in the state have also been removed, and the Industrial Promotion Scheme of J&K given by the Government of India has opened new doors of development in J&K,” said Sitaraman.

• Criticizing the Nehru government for ‘internationalizing’ the Kashmir issue at the United Nations in 1947, he said India could have handled it. “It was our first PM Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru ji who internationalized the Kashmir issue. He took it to the United Nations. Nation in December 1947. Why?… This issue should not have gone on a global platform. It is an Indian issue. Yes. We could have handled it.”

• He lauded the immunization coverage of the Union Territory and said, “J&K has achieved 100% COVID-19 vaccination of all eligible population.”

• FM Sitharaman said 180 terrorists (148 local, 32 foreign and 42 top commanders) were killed in 2021. So far this year, 38 terrorists (28 locals and 10 foreigners) have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

• Since the days of Jana Sangh, it has been said in our manifesto to abolish Article 370. This was a promise made to the people of the country and we have fulfilled it.

• During the Dubai Expo in January 2022, investment proposals worth Rs 3500 crore were finalized for J&K… Other global investors have also signed MoUs with the J&K government, including EMAAR Group and other companies are involved.

• The level of GST collection till February this year for J&K is Rs 12,127 crore, which is much higher than the estimate for the entire year. Such revenue is being generated in that state which is now being governed transparently.

• Something that has gone awry since then (late 1980s) and injustice has been done to the people of J&K, after the abrogation of Article 370, you see justice, democracy, economic development and rights reaching everyone Huh.

• He also denied the opposition’s charge that the BJP could not absolve itself of the responsibility of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 as it was supporting the then VP Singh-led government at the Centre. The minister said terrorist killings took place in Kashmir when the National Conference was in power in Jammu and Kashmir in alliance with the Congress and recalled the then governor Jagmohan’s warning of dark clouds of terror over the valley.

• During the discussion, the Congress party hit out at the BJP, saying it supported the VP Singh-led government at the Center in 1990 when Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Valley after being targeted by terrorists . “I just want to put the facts on record. The National Conference government with the support of the Indian National Congress was in power in Jammu and Kashmir from November 1986 to January 18, 1990. And Governor Jagmohan after the resignation of the then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah (20 January, 1990) reached Jammu and Kashmir…. January 20, 1990 is when the Governor reaches Srinagar,” the minister said.

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