The Bharatiya Janata Party, Leh, celebrated, on June 7, the completion of two years of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government as 'Vikas Parv' (development festival) which aimed at publicising the achievements of the BJP government.

While the event was held at Shenam Community Hall, which saw Union Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Nihal Chand-MOS Panchayati Raj GOI, MP Thupstan Chewang , Dr. Sonam Dawa-CEC, LAHDC and Ashok Koul, Org. Gen. Sec. BJP, J&K, speak at length about numerous steps taken by the BJP government.

The main aim of celebration was to inform the people about the various pro-people work done by the Modi govt during the last two years.

Gowda spoke about the achievements of Modi Government and said that India today is the most respected country in the world and even the growth rate of India was ranked No. 1 in the world. “The GDP growth of India is 7.9 percent and China’s is behind us, running at 6.2 per cent. This year, if there are good rains, then we hope that our GDP growth will grow beyond 8 per cent. This was one of the assurances given by the PM to the people of the country”, said Gowda.

Addressing a Press conference in Leh, Gowda said that Leh was under his govt’s consideration to be included in the smart cities list provided it fulfilled all the parameters required under the scheme. With regard to border incursions, the minister said that we could not hold talks with any country unless the relation with them was better, and the Prime Minister’s foreign policies was improving relations with China, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“Insurgencies and terrorism are what we have been focusing in the last two years. Only mutual talks can reduce all these things. When there is aggression on the other side, then talks and aggression cannot go together. We should have ceasefire at the border, and infiltration must stop,” said the minister.

Talking about the connectivity problems in the Ladakh region, he assured to address the issue within six months by providing an alternate OFC service. He also urged the media to raise various issues of Leh through email to get the Centre’s attention.

Nihal Chand, MOS, Panchayati Raj, GOI, said that he wanted the J&K govt to make Gram Panchayat of Ladakh 3-tier system so that villages could progress. Until and unless Gram Panchayat , Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti work together, there would be no development in the right direction, said the minister.

Talking about digital connectivity, Thupstan Chewang, M P, said that the service providers were commercial organisations; and unless and until they had commercial feasibility, they won’t come. “So, we have to depend on BSNL.  BSNL is planning to have 50 additional towers in Leh this year, plus OFC,and connectivity not only through Srinagar but also from the Manali side, and it will be completed within one or two years”, the MP said. Talking about the achievements, he said “we did in two years what the Congress governments could not do in 60 years. We assure that we will move fast in the developmental sector and will keep on working until Ladakh becomes an example.”

Dr Dawa announced that his administration would start Swatch Bharat in Ladakh from Khardongla and Changla and modern toilets would be built at both these points by July.