Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday criticised the past governments for neglecting the entire region of the erstwhile Doda district and accused them of promoting social strife through divisive politics. He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts towards ensuring equitable development and communal harmony in the region.

Singh, who was addressing a massive public meeting after inaugurating the Agri-StartUp exhibition in Doda, said analysts will find it difficult to answer why Doda remained backward even though after Independence, there was not a single occasion when Doda did not have its representative both in the Union Cabinet as well as in the J&K ministry.

The Union Minister said that the Doda district has today emerged on the world map because of the lavender and purple revolutions in Bhaderwah. These revolutions, he stated, were exhibited in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, and PM Narendra Modi spoke in detail about it in his “Mann Ki Baat”.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the people of the Doda belt are traditionally peace-loving and patriotic as they refused to migrate even during the peak of militancy.

In the past 10 years, several crucial developments took place in the region, including the construction of the New National Highway 244 stretching from Khillani to Sudhmahadev and touching Goha Kalota, the approval of projects such as the Chattergala and Kaljugar tunnels, the implementation of a series of hydropower projects and airports under the Udaan scheme in Kishtwar, the establishment of a centrally funded medical college in Doda, and the setting up of a High Altitude Medicine Plant in Bhaderwah, he added.

Singh said that the large number of projects implemented in the Doda region in the past 10 years has not only brought about transformation but also ensured a change in mindset.

He underlined that road connectivity, power supply, and medical facilities have been improved in Doda in the past 10 years. “A web of highways has been spun in the district, with the largest number of roads constructed under PMGSY”, he added.

The Minister said that this constituency holds the distinction of being the only Lok Sabha constituency with three medical colleges in Doda, Kathua, and Udhampur.

He expressed happiness that Modi has been able to change the work culture and perception of democracy by undertaking all-round development and ensuring delivery of schemes as and where needed.

On the occasion, Singh also facilitated a few young farmers who have emerged as role models by increasing their produce by availing the benefits of various schemes.