INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Saturday that free and transparent DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir coupled with voters'
keen participation are a "moment of pride" for India, while hitting back at his rivals for giving him "lessons in democracy".In a swipe at
Rahul Gandhi, who alleged recently that there is no democracy in India, Modi said that while his government completed three-tier panchayat
polls in Jammu and Kashmir in over a year of the region becoming a union territory, the Congress dispensation in Puducherry did not conduct
benefits to all residents of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the three-tier panchayat system has fully taken shape in the UT, describing it as a
realisation of Mahatma Gandhi's dream of 'gram swaraj' (village self-rule).He then added that he would like to share his pain before the
nation on this occasion."Some people in Delhi curse Modi day in and day out and hurl abuses
They regularly offer me lessons in democracy
teaching me democracy is in power in Puducherry," the prime minister said, without naming the Congress, which has been ruling the UT since
2016.It shows the gap between what some parties preach and what they do, and also highlights their commitment to democracy, he said in a dig
at his rivals.Noting that local body polls were last held in 2006 in Puducherry, he said its term ended in 2011 but new elections were not
held."You will be surprised to know that the Supreme Court had given an order in this regard in 2018, but the government there has been
troubled region and have strengthened democracy, he said.Noting that the people braved cold weather and the COVID-19 pandemic to
enthusiastically participate in the election, the prime minister said he had heard from every political party about the high level of
transparency during the polls and how free they were."I feel so proud This is a moment of pride for India," he said, lauding the local
have won due to their work, not their name, he said, in a dig at dynastic parties."This is the beginning of a new leadership of a new era in
a new decade," he said.He said that the BJP was once a part of the government in the erstwhile state and added that it pulled out because
the saffron party wanted panchayat elections and people to be given their rights
eligible for health insurance up to Rs five lakh, Modi said it was a historic day for the region.In an apparent reference to Article 370,
which had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir and was abrogated by his government last year, Modi said earlier most schemes and laws
meant for the country had the provision "except J - K'.This has become history, and over 170 central Acts are now applicable to the union
country is deprived of development any longer
Better living conditions in every territory will further strengthen national unity and integrity," he asserted.An official statement said
about six lakh families of the UT were getting the benefit of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and now all 21 lakh families will get it.Noting
that its residents can avail of the health insurance anywhere in India except a state like West Bengal, the prime minister took a jibe at
and Kashmir, he added.Modi said a big mistake of those who were in power for decades in the country was to ignore the development of border
regions, including Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states, but his government has rectified this.He said during the pandemic about 18
lakh LPG cylinders were refilled in Jammu and Kashmir
More than 10 lakh toilets were built under the Swachh Bharat programme, he said, adding it too contributed to improving the health of the
people.The setting up of IIT and IIM in Jammu and Kashmir would help in providing quality higher education to the students, he said, noting
