New Delhi, jan 11: The Union Minister of State Independent Charge Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has huge Bamboo reserves that can boost its economy in future. He was inaugurating a workshop-cum-exhibition on “Bamboo-A wonder grass” at Convention Centre, Jammu today.
The workshop-cum-exhibition is being jointly organised by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India and Government of Jammu and Kashmir through Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), Guwahati, Assam and Department of Social Forestry, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Shri G.C. Murmu, Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and senior officers were also present on the occasion.
While inaugurating the workshop, Dr Jitendra Singh said that bamboo cultivation can revolutionise the industry in Jammu and Kashmir in a cost-effective manner and can open new gates for the young start-ups. While referring to a series of workshops and conferences being organised in J&K, the Minister said that this is the 4th conference within a short span of 3 months.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, it has been decided to institutionalize every outreach initiative for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Other ministries are also conducting programs with an aim to go deeper to the district level and then to the assembly segment level, he added. He further said that the UT Govt. is in the process of identifying 100 venues and will identify the programs to be held there in the first phase.
The Minister also emphasized on the fact that it is the time to apply the same amount of focus on Jammu and Kashmir as has been applied to North-East in recent years which has totally transformed the region into a heaven for start ups. There is an expectation that Jammu and Kashmir will too emerge as a great economic zone and successful practices of governance and development can be easily replicated in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, the Minister said that the development of UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is being given special focus after the abrogation of Article 370. Dr Singh also said that the dream of a 5 trillion economy can not be achieved unless we follow the global parameters. The new industrial policy is in the line so that we would have more investment here which will create more jobs for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that every important project related to Jammu and Kashmir that was stuck up is now being cleared. He spoke about the Bathinda gas pipeline project, Uj river water project, Shahpur Kandi Project, Pakaldul Project to Kiru Project. This will bring a new dawn into the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
During the workshop-cum-exhibition, Dr. Jitendra Singh also inaugurated Bamboo and Cane cluster stalls established by eight states of North Eastern Region and exhibition stalls. He also visited live stations established by various departments of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lt. Governor, UT of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri. G.C. Murmu emphasised on the fact that Bamboo being eco-friendly can help us saving the environment from pollution and can become a means of livelihood as well. The need of the hour is to find the economic use of it in Jammu and Kashmir as we have huge resources of Bamboo here, he added.
Addressing the workshop-cum-exhibition, Shri. K. Moses Chalai, Secretary, North Eastern Council, Govt. of India said that both North-East and Jammu and Kashmir have a great potential to grow together in Bamboo technology and this workshop is a good beginning to have a bamboo skill development in Jammu and Kashmir on the lines of North Eastern region.
Earlier in her welcome address, Ms Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner Secretary, Department of Forests, Environment and Ecology, Government of Jammu and Kashmir said that this workshop-cum-exhibition will boost the Jammu and Kashmir economy in future and this workshop will broaden the vision about it especially through the technical sessions. She also emphasised on the development of the skills of artisans of Jammu and Kashmir to hone their skills and potential.
During the conference, the artists from the North Eastern Region performed a Bamboo Orchestra and the troupe from the North Eastern Region also performed a Bamboo Dance.
