Bhuj: Launching a nationwide ‘Seemant Vikas Utsav – 2020’ programme from Indo-Pak border district Kutch in Gujarat today, Union Home minister Amit Shah said the BJP led NDA government in the Centre has started implementing all directives given by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

‘We have started implementing all directives given by Sardar Saheb,’ said Amit Shah.

‘Sardar Patel check post in Rann of Kutch is a place where a brigade strength of attack by Pakistan was countered by handful of our jawans. If Sardar Patel’s letters are gone through, he had said in his time that road, water, power must reach border areas. Sardar didn’t stay for long to execute his idea and Congress governments didn’t follow his advise. We have started implementing all directives given by Sardar Saheb,’ Shah said.

Shah shared some figures to support his claim. He said, road resurfacing in border areas during 2008-2014 was 170km against 480 km during 2014-20. Road cutting and formatting works in areas of China border were in length of 230 km during 2008-2014 annually, against 470 km during 2014-20. During 2008-2014 only one tunnel was constructed to avail shorter route to armed forces for their mobilization. Against this, during 2014-20 six new tunnels has been constructed and works are going on for 19 more tunnels. This shows priority of the government.

‘Earlier when some official would do some wrong, he would be sent to border area duty in Kutch and it was considered punishment posting because there was no water, there was not light, there was no development in Kutch. Today water has reached upto border post of Khavda. Today Dhordo tent city has become tourist attraction. Power has reached cent percent areas,’ Shah said.

Shah said Seemant Utsav will cover entire geographical international border areas of India. He said he is going to stay with border jawans. He said the Prime Minister is also going to visit border areas as part of Seemant Vikas Utsav.

Shah stressed on need to prevent migration from border areas. He said in order to prevent migration, the border area villages must be developed same way as villages elsewhere.

‘Our Prime Minister always says that we have to first think about development of villages in border areas. Each government programmes must be implemented first in border area villages,’ said Amit Shah adding that it is a promise of BJP government which is being implemented too.

Shah said, governance and development must reach border areas and it is the motive behind Seemant Vikas Utsav programme. Creating awareness among border area people who are contributing to border security is also one of motives behind this programme.

Shah said the hospitals that were earlier serving only BSF jawans, are now open for all border area citizens under Pradhan Mantri Yojana.

Shah said, ‘after this meeting, I am going to attend a meeting in Bhuj with all agencies involved in border area development. Under Vikas Utsav programme, arrangements will be done to plug in all loopholes and regular monitoring will also be done. When each development work in 15,000 km long border area is reviewed at this level, the execution of ideas of Modiji will not just be limited to Delhi but will reach you. The programmes have reached you and they will reach you in even more force.’

Shah inaugurated an exhibition of Border Security Force (BSF) at Tent City in Dhordo.

The programme was attended by office bearers of villages, taluka panchayats, district panchayats, member of parliament, MLAs, municipality office bearers among others.

Official note:

Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah today inaugurated a ‘Digital Exhibition’ showcasing the development of Gujarat and its bordering areas at Dhordo in Kutch district. The exhibition was organized as a part of ‘Sarhadi Vistaar Vikashotsav – 2020’ (Border Area Development Festival – 2020), a programme exhibiting developments done in bordering areas of Gujarat, organized at Dhordo in Kutch.

Mr. Shah was accompanied by Union Rural Development Minister Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar, Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani, Gujarat Home Minister Mr. Pradipsinh Jadeja and Minister of State Mr. Vasanbhai Ahir and others.

During his visit to exhibition, Mr. Shah also watched the various technologies, electronics equipments and computer applications adopted by Gujarat police to curb the crimes in the state and providing safety and security to the bordering areas and people of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Home Minister also praised the various stalls setup by the BSF. The exhibition also included various stalls exhibiting the handicrafts, embroideries, and arts of Kutch region. The event also exhibits the various activities being done as a part of development programmes of districts such as Patan, Kutch, Banaskantha and others. The exhibition also showcased services such as electricity, bus, health, education, tourism, agricultural, planning, science and technologies, and others being carried out in these areas.

Mr. Shah also paid a visit to a famous religious temple of ‘Goddess Ashapura’ at ‘Mata no Madh’. He also made pooja and took blessings of the deity and temple’s priest (Mahant) Rajabava Yogendrasinhji.

The events were also graced by Chief Secretary Mr. Anil Mukim, Union Home Secretary Mr. Ajay Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Pankaj Kumar, DGP Mr. Ashish Bhatiya, Secretary Mr. K. K. Nirala, ADG Dr. Shamsher Singh, local MLAs and others.

DeshGujarat

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