'Restore Temples, Rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits' Among 25 Key BJP Promises For J&K Polls

Jammu: Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP )'s manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, and promised a rehabilitation scheme for Kashmiri Pandits. "The scheme will be very detailed. We will look for complete rehabilitation. Many Kashmiri Pandits and people from the Sikh community who left when the terrorism was at its peak were forced to sell their properties. We have already started working in this regard - either returning their properties or providing the amount for their properties. We are towards the completion of rehabilitation of 6000 people."

While releasing the party manifesto ‘Sankalp Patra 2024 - Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election’, the Home Minister promised to restore 100 ruined temples and further develop existing temples, including the Shankaracharya Temple (Jyeshteshwara Temple), Raghunath Temple, and Marthanda Sun Temple, with the active participation of religious and spiritual organisations.

Shah also asserted that Article 370 has become 'history' and will never make a comeback in the Union territory. Addressing a press conference, the senior BJP leader said the last 10-year period will be written in golden letters in the history of the country and J&K, and urged people to vote his party to power to continue good governance.

He reached Jammu earlier in the day on a two-day visit to kickstart the BJP 's campaign for the assembly polls scheduled to be held in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1. "I have gone through the National Conference agenda. I want to make it clear to the whole country that Article 370 has become history and will never make a comeback," the Union home minister said in his speech before releasing the BJP manifesto.

Shah said Article 370 is not part of the Constitution anymore. "This Article has only given arms and stones in the hands of the youth and facilitated them to tread the path of terrorism," Shah added.

"I want to tell Omar Abdullah that whatever the results, we will not allow you to touch the reservation granted to Gujjars, Bakerwals and Pahadis," he said.

Shah added terrorism will be completely eradicated from Jammu and Kashmir. "A white paper will be issued to fix the responsibility of those involved in the emergence of terrorism in J&K," he added. Appealing to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote for the BJP in the assembly elections, Shah said, “Give us a five-year tenure to ensure the development of the region.”

BJP 's Big Promises

• Eliminate Terrorism and Separatism: Transform Jammu and Kashmir into a leader in national development by eradicating terrorism and separatism.
• Maa Samman Yojana: Provide ₹18,000 annually to the senior-most woman in every household.
• Support for Women SHGs: Offer state assistance to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to manage interest on bank loans.
• Free LPG Cylinders: Deliver two free LPG cylinders yearly to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries.
• Job Creation: Generate 5 lakh jobs through the Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Rozgar Yojana (PPNDRY).
• Student Travel Allowance: Provide ₹3,000 annually to college students for travel under the Pragati Shiksha Yojana.
• Fair Recruitment: Ensure just recruitment processes, offer ₹10,000 for two years of coaching, and reimburse travel costs for exam applicants.
• Tablets for Students: Distribute tablets or laptops to higher secondary students in remote areas.
• Dal Lake Development: Make Dal Lake a world-class tourist destination and promote water sports.
• Amusement Park: Set up an amusement park at Tattoo Ground, Srinagar.
• IT Hub in Jammu: Develop an IT hub and SEZ in Jammu city.
• MSME Support: Address challenges faced by 7,000 MSME units regarding access to land and public utilities.
• Atal Awas Yojana: Allot 5 marlas of land to landless beneficiaries under this scheme.
• Utility Bill Relief: Provide relief from outstanding electricity and water bills for all consumers.
• Increased Pensions: Triple old-age, widow, and disability pensions from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000.
• Ayushman Bharat Sehat Scheme: Extend healthcare coverage by an additional ₹2 lakhs under the scheme, making total coverage ₹7 lakhs.
• Medical Education: Add 1,000 new seats to existing and upcoming government medical colleges.
• Farmers’ Welfare: Increase PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to ₹10,000 annually (₹6,000 existing + ₹4,000 additional).
• Lowered Electricity Tariffs: Reduce electricity tariffs by 50% for agricultural activities.
• Reservation in Promotions: Ensure reservation in promotions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government services.
• Agniveer Quota: Reserve 20% of J&K government and police jobs for Agniveers without affecting the general quota.
• Daily Wage Workers’ Grievances: Resolve the issues faced by long-serving adhoc, contractual, and daily wage employees.
• Rural Road Expansion: Build 10,000 km of rural roads to connect every village.
• Metro Services: Accelerate metro projects in Jammu and Srinagar to improve urban mobility.
• Temple Restoration: Restore 100 ruined temples, including Shankaracharya, Raghunath, and Martand Sun Temples.