SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Article 370 was a barrier to development and now it is effectively removed. This, he said will make Jammu and Kashmir a developed place. He was speaking to a huge gathering in MA Stadium at Jammu.

“Article 370 was a barrier to our progress,” Modi declared, his voice resolute. “But we have removed that hurdle.” For years, Article 370 had divided the region, hindering its potential and depriving its people of opportunities. But now, with its abrogation, a new era of possibilities dawned upon Jammu and Kashmir.

“Today, we stand united, ready to usher in a new era of progress and prosperity,” Modi continued, his gaze sweeping across the stadium. “But our journey does not end here.”

Article 370, he asserted was the biggest roadblock in the development of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the BJP government has abrogated it. “Jammu and Kashmir is moving towards an overall development now,” he said. “It is because of the abrogation of Article 370, I have urged the people to help BJP win 370 seats and NDA win 400 seats in (2024 Lok Sabha) elections.”

Prime Minister referred to the upcoming Bollywood film Article 370 during his speech. “I have heard that a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week. It is a good thing as it will help people in getting correct information.”

SRINAGAR: As many as 185 people from outside Jammu and Kashmir have bought land J&K in the last three years, Ministry of Home, Government of India, informed parliament on Wednesday.

Minister of State for MHA Nityanand Rai, however, said, no land has been bought by outsiders nor any Indian company has made investment in Ladakh.

 “As per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 185 people from outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have bought land in the UT during 2020, 2021 and 2022,” he said replying to a written question by Ram Nath Thakur, a politician from Janata Dal party from Bihar, in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament.

Rai said that while one person bought land in 2020, 57 bought in 2021 and 127 in 2022.

As per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, Rai further said, a total of 1,559 Indian companies, including multinational companies, have made investments in the J&K.

In 2020-21, he said as per the reply, as copy of which lies with GNS, 310 entities invested in J&K, 175 in 2021-22 and 1074 in 2022-23.

“Further, as per the information provided by the Union Territory of Ladakh, no Indian companies, including multinational companies, have invested in the UT during the last three years,” he added. (GNS)