Jammu, Dec 10: Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia on Tuesday highlighted the significant strides made in Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial sector over the past six years under the BJP-led government.
“Transformative measures and robust policies were implemented to revive and expand the region’s industrial landscape, which had been previously marred by inefficiency, corruption, and nepotism during earlier administrations,” he said addressing a press conference at the BJP Headquarters here.
Dr Jasrotia said that while Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its first wave of industrialisation in the 1970s, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure such as the HMT plant in Srinagar, mismanagement and poor governance led to the decline of industries, including the J&K Industries Corporation (JKI).
“However, a renewed focus on industrial growth came under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who introduced the first industrial package for the region,” he said, adding, “Building on this foundation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government provided a historic industrial package, attracting investments worth thousands of crores and generating employment opportunities for thousands of youths in Jammu and Kashmir.”
The BJP spokesperson expressed concern over recent developments, saying the current regime appears to be reversing the progress made in the industrial sector. He highlighted instances of alleged harassment faced by industrialists and bureaucrats, which he attributed to the actions of certain individuals in the administration. “The same officers who delivered exceptional results over the past six years are now being unfairly targeted,” he said. “The GDP of Jammu and Kashmir, which has nearly doubled to Rs 1.73 lakh crore, stands as a testament to their hard work and the conducive environment created under the BJP government.”
Dr Jasrotia urged the present regime to refrain from undermining the achievements of the past and learn from the adage, ‘A bad workman quarrels with his tools’. He assured the public that the BJP remains committed to safeguarding the interests of Jammu and Kashmir’s industrialists, workforce, and economy. “As long as the BJP is here, no one can derail the caravan of development,” he affirmed.
G.L. Raina, also a BJP spokesperson, elaborated on the party’s contributions to industrial development. He said thousands of youth have benefited from job opportunities created by the investments brought into the region. Raina expressed concerns over what he described as a “selective targeting of the industrial sector and bureaucracy”, suggesting it could be part of a larger conspiracy to disproportionately affect the Jammu region, where most industries are located.
Both leaders called on the current administration to focus on fostering an environment conducive to growth and development rather than indulging in policies that could hinder the region’s industrial progress. They reiterated the BJP’s commitment to ensuring that Jammu and Kashmir continues to thrive economically, providing equitable opportunities to all its citizens.
