Environment conducive to development in J and K due to Modi government's efforts: President

New Delhi [India], Jan 31 (ANI): Stressing on the Narendra Modi government's efforts towards bringing normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said an environment conducive to development has been created and that the central government is committed to "equitable development" of the three regions of the state. 
In his address to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the President said: "My Government is committed to the equitable development of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir. As a result of the efforts of my Government, an environment favourable to development has been created in the State. Committed to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, my government announced a package of Rs 80 thousand crores. Under the package, projects related to infrastructure, health and education sectors worth more than Rs 66 thousand crores have been approved so far," President Kovind said.
He also said the state had witnessed the most peaceful local body elections in over a decade.
"In Jammu and Kashmir, elections to Urban Local Bodies after an interval of 13 years and in Panchayats after seven years have been conducted peacefully with more than 70 per cent voters participating enthusiastically."
During multi-phased elections in the state last year, no untoward incident was reported from any part, despite a boycott call and terror threats.
The polling for the Urban Local Bodies took place in four phases in October last year, while the Panchayat elections were held in nine phases over November-December.
The statement from President Kovind comes days after Baramulla was declared as the first district with no surviving militants on January 24.
The President also assured that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was working towards strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in the country.
"New medical colleges are being set up by the Government, district hospitals are being upgraded and Wellness Centres are being established in all major Panchayats of the country. From Madurai in Tamil Nadu to Pulwama in Jammu-Kashmir; and from Rajkot in Gujarat to Kamrup in Assam, new ‘AIIMS’ are being established," he added. (ANI)