I swear in the name of God that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established. This was the oath as a new chapter in the country’s development began under the leadership of Narendra Modi with his swearing-in as Prime Minister in 2014. The Central Government has advanced several major projects and programs across sectors such as infrastructure, digital technology, defense, the economy, and public welfare. However, the chapter concerning Jammu & Kashmir has also been extremely significant in this entire journey of development. A major constitutional change took place for Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 when the special constitutional arrangement under Article 370 was altered. And the provisions related to Article 35A ceased to have effect. Article 370 was acting as an obstacle to the country’s unity, said the Prime Minister. The unity of the nation was our priority—reflecting the spirit of our Constitution—and that is why Article 370 was abrogated. Subsequently, several projects focused on development, investment, connectivity, and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir were advanced. The new roads being built, the rail connectivity reaching Kashmir, the hospitals and colleges coming up—this is precisely the new Jammu and Kashmir. Be it a historic project like the Chenab rail bridge, the expansion of tunnels and roads, or efforts to bring electricity, water, and digital connectivity to remote areas. Infrastructure has been prioritized as a key pillar of development in Jammu and Kashmir. During this period, emphasis was also placed on extending the benefits of schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat to families in Jammu and Kashmir. Self-help groups for women have also expanded through the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission enabling rural women to engage in activities such as handicrafts, tailoring, agriculture, animal husbandry, and small-scale businesses. Focus has been placed on providing assistance and investment to farmers through the Pradhan Mantri Samman Nidhi and on new projects for the agricultural sector. The administrative role of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has also been significant in this development process. During his tenure, numerous development projects, investment initiatives, and public welfare programs have been advanced at both the central and administration levels. Connectivity-related schemes have also become part of the development story.
