Rahul Gandhi in Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) speaks after inaugurating cold-storage factory

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Srinagar: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir Pulwama on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi inaugurated a cold-storage facility and addressed a public rally at Lassipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

Rahul Gandhi in Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) speaks after inaugurating cold-storage factory

Needs at least Flash Player Ver.9 to Play Download Here

Srinagar: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir Pulwama on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi inaugurated a cold-storage facility and addressed a public rally at Lassipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

Rahul Gandhi: Focus of UPA has been to empower youth

Srinagar: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir Pulwama on Thursday.  Rahul Gandhi inaugurated a cold-storage facility and addressed a public rally at Lassipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

“Kashmir is famous for apples. We want the apples from here reach places across the world. You need better technology and other infrastructure for that. You also need better connectivity with banks,” said the Congress Vice President. He also said that the Congress-led UPA Government at the centre has been giving priority to ensure jobs for the youth in Kashmir and other states. 

The Congress leader added that the educated youth must get proper skill development training too. “We have already taken several initiatives in this direction” said Rahul Gandhi and added “We also initiated several projects for women empowerment also and also sent funds for J&K. Lots of women are getting its benefits too”.

Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to visit Budgam to take stock of various self-help groups launched under flagship scheme ‘Umeed’ and also will attend a function organised under it at Budgam stadium.

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कांग्रेस उपाध्यक्ष श्री राहुल गांधी ने जम्मू-कश्मीर के अपने दो दिवसीय दौरे के पहले दिन जम्मू संभाग के पंचायत प्रतिनिधियों को संबोधित किए

जम्मू-कश्मीर में सरपंच का, पंच का या लोकल बॉडी के जो नेता है उनका अधिकार क्या है बता दो हमको? कोई अधिकार है आपका? देखिए इक्कीसवी सदी के राजनीति में पंच, सरपंच व लोकल बॉडी के नेताओं को शक्ति देनी पड़ेगी। क्योंकि जो निर्णय लिया जाएगा वह गांव में लिया जाएगा। छोटे-छोटे कस्बों में लिया जाएगा और आपके बिना यह काम किया नहीं जा सकता। जम्मू और कश्मीर को बदलना है तो दो-तीन चीजे करनी है। सबसे पहले और सबसे जरूरी जो हमारे सरपंच है जो हमारे लोकल बॉडी के नेता हैं उनको पावर देनी है। उनको जिम्मेदारी देनी है। दूसरी बात जो जम्मू-कश्मीर के युवा है उनको ट्रेनिंग देनी है और उनको रोजगार दिलवाना है।

तीसरी बात जो जम्मू और कश्मीर की रीढ़ की हड्डी  है। जो हमारी महिलाएं है, जो मुझे यहां कम दिखाई दे रही हैं आज। उनकी मद्द करनी है। इन तीन चीजों को कांग्रेस पार्टी आगे बढ़ाने की कोशिश कर रही है। हिमायत का प्रोग्राम है, उम्मीद का प्रोग्राम है। हजारों युवाओं को हम रोजगार व ट्रेनिंग दे रहे है। जो जानकारी आपके पास है, गांव की जानकारी, छोटे-छोटे कस्बों की जानकारी, वह मिनिस्टर के पास और एमएलए व एमपी के पास नहीं है। उनके पास दूसरी जानकारी है, उनका दूसरा रोल है। उनका कानून बनाने में रोल है। मगर लोकल काम करने का रोल आपका है।

यहां हमारी सरकार है और मैं आपको एक बात कहना चाहता हूं कि हमारा दबाव यहां पूरा है और 73वें 74वें संशोधन को यहां पर हम आगे बढ़ाएंगे और लागू करेंगे। आपका जो हक है वह आपको मिलेगा और यह लड़ाई मैं आपके लिए लडूंगा। मैं यहां आता रहूंगा, दबाव ड़ालता रहूंगा, जब तक यह काम नहीं हुआ। रिफ्यूजी की बात और मैं जानता हूं कि उनको कष्ट होता है। उनको भी मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि कांग्रेस पार्टी आपकी लड़ाई लड़ेगी और जो भी हम आपके लिए कर सकते हैं हम करेंगे। अंबिका जी ने बार्डर की बात की बिल्कुल सहीं बात है। हमारी लड़ाई आपके साथ है। हम आपके साथ खड़े है और जो भी हम जम्मू-कश्मीर के लिए कर सकते है हम करने को तैयार है। मैं चाहता हूं कि जम्मू-कश्मीर की जनता को शक्ति मिले, अधिकार मिले। अभी मैने चीफ मिनिस्टर से बात की भोजन के अधिकार के बारे में। उनके कंसर्ट थे कि थोड़ा कम भोजन आएगा भोजन के अधिकार से और हमने उनसे कहा कि देखिए यही समस्या केरला मे थी, यही समस्या तमिलनाडु में थी और हमने, दिल्ली की सरकार ने उनकी मद्द की। जिस प्रकार हमने उनकी मद्द की उसी प्रकार हम आपकी भी मद्द करने वाले हैं।

तो भोजन का अधिकार यहां पर लागू होना चाहिए और जो भी कमियां हैं हम उनको पूरा कर देंगे, कोई प्राब्लम नहीं है। क्योंकि हम चाहते है कि जो भी फायदा यूपीए की सरकार बाकी प्रदेशों को दे रही है, चाहें वह भोजन का अधिकार हो, भूमि अधिग्रहण बिल की बात हो, पंचायती राज की बात हो, जो भी हम बाकि प्रदेशों में कर रहे है, हम जम्मू-कश्मीर में करे। जितनी मजबूती हम सरपंचों व पंचों को हम बाकि प्रदेशों में दे रहे हैं, हम यहां देना चाहते है। अगर आप केरला जाएं, तमिलनाडु जाएं, वहां राजनीति में मजा आता है। क्यों? क्योंकि सरपंचों के पास अधिकार है। डिस्ट्रिक्ट प्लान बनते है, लोकल पार्टिसिपेशन होता है, मीटिंग होती है, जनता की बाते निकलती है। यही राजनीतिक भविष्य है और यही जम्मू-कश्मीर में होगा।

मैं यहां इसलिए आया हूं, मैं आपको आश्वासन देना चाहता हूं कि आने वाले समय में आपको अधिकार मिलेगे और जब तक नहीं मिलेगा मैं यहां आता रहूंगा और आपकी लड़ाई लड़ता रहूंगा। जो भी इश्यू है, रिजर्वेशन की बात है, महिलाओं की रिजर्वेशन की बात है। उन इश्यू को हम रिजॉल्व करके आपके अधिकार को हम आपको देने वाले हैं। बस यही मेरा आपके लिए संदेश है। देखिए पहली बात यह है कि अगर मैं आपकी बात नहीं सुनना चाहता तो मुझे यहां आने की कोई जरूरत नहीं पड़ती। मैं यहां इसलिए आया हूं क्योंकि मैं आपकी बात सुनना चाहता हूं और मैं आपकी लड़ाई लड़ना चाहता हूं। भूमि अधिग्रहण बिल को लाने के लिए भट्टा पारसौल में लड़ाई शुरू हुई और भूमि अधिग्रहण बिल आया। कितना समय लगा? साल, डेढ़ साल लगा। आपको ये लड़ाई लड़नी है और हम आपके साथ खड़े हैं। राज्य सरकार पर दबाव डालेंगे।

आप घबराओं मत और यह काम हम करके दिखाएंगे। मगर यह काम एक मिनट में नहीं होने वाला है। इस काम के लिए आपको एक साथ खड़ा होना पड़ेगा। एक साथ लड़ना पड़ेगा। हम सबको एक साथ मिलकर दबाव डालना पड़ेगा। ये मुफ्त में नहीं मिलने वाला है। आप यह मत सोचों कि एक मिनट में यह काम किया जा सकता है। मगर हम आपको यह आश्वासन देना चाहता हूं कि यह काम हम करके दिखाएंगे। हम आपके साथ खड़े है और यह काम सौ प्रतिशत होगा। आप सब दूर-दूर से आये इसके लिए आप सबका धन्यवाद, नमस्कार।

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Rahul Gandhi to sarpanchs at Panchayat leaders conference in Jammu: I will fight for you rights

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday by addressing a panchayat leaders’ conference at Jammu. Speaking to a gathering of panchayat members and sarpanches, Rahul Gandhi said in the present political environment, local leaders need to be empowered. “In 21st century politics, the local leaders need to be empowered” asserted the Congress Vice President. “If the situations need to change in J&K, we need to give power and responsibilities to our Sarpanches and local bodies” he added.

“If we want to change J&K we should focus on two-three factors. The local leaders need to be empowered; youth need to be given proper skill development training and employment; and finally the women in J&K, who are our backbone, have to be helped” explained Rahul Gandhi.

Since 2004, there is UPA Government in Delhi and our focus since 2004 has been on giving rights to people of this country. We passed the food security bill. We didn't want anyone to be hungry in this country. Look at our programs, MNREGA or Food security bill, the truth is that without Panchayati Raj and Sarpanches, these programs can't function.

These programs develop from villages. Sarpanches and Panchayats will have to support the government. Some critical decisions will be taken in small villages, and we can't do it without your cooperation. If the situations need to change in J&K, we need to give power and responsibilities to our Sarpanches and local bodies.

What power a sarpanch or panch posses in J&K? Does a sarpanch, local body leader in Jammu and Kashmir have any powers? In 21st century politics, the local leaders need to be empowered. Normally the major decisions are being taken by the government behind closed doors, but without you those cannot be implemented. If we want to change J&K we should focus on two-three factors. The local leaders need to be empowered; youth need to be given proper skill development training and employment; and finally the women in J&K, who are our backbone, have to be helped. I can't see many women here today.  This has been the focus of the Congress party too. We are providing training to thousands of youth under our schemes Himayat and Umeed.

What you can do, no MLA or minister can do. The local work needs to be done by you - that is your role. The roles of MLAs and ministers are different. They are lawmakers. But it is your responsibility to take decisions on local issues and to implement it. We have a government supported by us and we will fight for the rights of the people.  We will implement 73rd, 74th Amendment here. You will get your rights, I will fight for you. I will keep coming here till you get your rights.

I am also aware of the issues of the refuges here. I understand their difficulties. I want to assure them that the Congress party will extend all possible help for them and will fight for their rights too.
Ambika Soni ji had just spoken about the border issues. We will stand by you in your fight. We will do whatever possible for  the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We want to empower you. We want to ensure that you get your rights.

I have just spoken to the Chief Minister about Food Security Bill and he was concerned that a little less food will be allocated under the new law. The states like Kerala also had the same issue and the Centre took adequate remedial measures to solve those problems. We will do the same in Jammu and Kashmir too. We want the law implemented here as well and we will make up the deficit. Whatever we are doing in the rest of the states, we want to do that in J&K. Food security Bill, land acquisition bill and Panchayati raj need to be implemented in J&K also like in any other state.

Look at Kerala where the Sarpanchs are empowered.  There are local body meetings, district body meetings and people’s opinions are heard. That is the political future and that is what should happen in J&K. We should follow what states like Kerala & Tamil Nadu are doing in terms of local governance. I will make sure that this happens in J&K too and I will fight for you to achieve it and until it happens I will keep coming back. The Congress will resolve issues of reservation, women's rights and empower the people of J&K.

This is what I wanted to tell you. Thank you very much.

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Rahul Gandhi in J&K, addresses Panchayat leaders conference at Jammu

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday by addressing a panchayat leaders' conference at Jammu. "If we want to change J&K we should focus on two-three factors. The local leaders need to be empowered; youth need to be given proper skill development training and employment; and finally the women in J&K, who are our backbone, have to be helped" explained Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi speaks at Panchayat leaders meet at Jammu stresses for more powers to local body leaders

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday by addressing a panchayat leaders’ conference at Jammu. Speaking to a gathering of panchayat members and sarpanches, Rahul Gandhi said in the present political environment, local leaders need to be empowered. “In 21st century politics, the local leaders need to be empowered” asserted the Congress Vice President. “If the situations need to change in J&K, we need to give power and responsibilities to our Sarpanches and local bodies” he added. “If we want to change J&K we should focus on two-three factors. The local leaders need to be empowered; youth need to be given proper skill development training and employment; and finally the women in J&K, who are our backbone, have to be helped” explained Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi struck a chord with the participants in the conference by saying “We have a government supported by us and we will fight for the rights of the people. We will implement 73rd, 74th Amendment here. You will get your rights, I will fight for you. I will keep coming here till you get your rights” and the gathering greeted it with loud applauds. “Whatever we are doing in the rest of the states, we want to do that in J&K. Food security Bill, land acquisition bill and Panchayati raj need to be implemented in J&K also like in any other state,” commented the Congress leader.

Rahul Gandhi addresses Panchayat leaders' meet at Jammu

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday by addressing a panchayat leaders' conferences. While speaking on the occasion, he stressed for the need to empower the panchayats for attaining proper development.

Rahul Gandhi interacting with Media in Bugdam (Srinagar)

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was in J&K to inaugurate a scheme meant for women named "Umeed". While interacting with the media he said, Where ever we are in Government , where ever we are in partnership we do our job. We do it aggressively. That is why I have come to Kashmir. It's very important to me. I come from Kashmir historically. And I would like to see participation of people in Kashmir at the local level and I would like to see it progress possibly one of the fastest progressing state of our country. Replying to a question on the relationship with ruling party he said, We have a healthy constructive relationship. On change of leadership in Pakistan and it's impact on J&K Rahul Gandhi said, the real change has to come from within. We cannot be dependent on what is going on in the rest of the world. How can we involve our people in Kashmir, how can we give them more voice , how can we involve them in the government at the local level, how can we involve these women , how can we ensure that youngsters have jobs. How can we ensure progress. Whether the leadership in Pakistan is good or bad, that's not in our hands. He further said UPA2 and UPA1 has transformed the mood in Kashmir. Progress takes time. But there is massive progress in Kashmir. Progress in the sentiment of the people. There is a progress in the connectivity that Kashmir is having. There is progress in Tourism. We are on a upward forward path. We are going to ensure that the people of Kashmir get the development they deserve.

Rahul Gandhi inaugurates 'Umeed' programme in Budgam (Srinagar)

Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi, along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched the UMEED programmme for the empowerment of women in central Badgam district in Jamju and Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi said that active participation of women is a must for holistic development of the society. The Congress Vice President argued that Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra developed because once women there were empowered and they actively participated in development programmes. Rahul Gandhi also said that Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had sanctioned Rs.750 crore under UMEED to the state to organise self-help groups (SHG) of women for addressing their economic challenges and curb social evils like drug addiction and female foeticide. Rahul Gandhi added that the UMEED initiative had gone a long way in making women confident and enabling them to stand on their own feet. The young congress leader said that he had visited Jammu and Kashmir last year and met youth at Kashmir University, and invited them to visit Amethi and see the benefits that women received from the UMEED, just so a similar one could be taken up in Jammu and Kashmir. "I took Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with me to Amethi so that he could also take a view of the success of this programme", said Rahul Gandhi, adding that the trip had culminated in the launch of UMEED in Jammu and Kashmir. "We can provide help, but you have to work yourselves to achieve the goals of welfare, social justice and development", he said.

Rahul Gandhi interacting with Media in Bugdam (Jammu and Kashmir)

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was in J&K to inaugurate a scheme meant for women named “Umeed”. While interacting with the media he said, Where ever we are in Government , where ever we are in partnership we do our job. We do it aggressively. That is why I have come to Kashmir. It's very important to me

Rahul Gandhi inaugurates 'Umeed' programme in Budgam (Srinagar)

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Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi, along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched the UMEED programmme for the empowerment of women in central Badgam district in Jamju and Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi said that active participation of women is a must for holistic development of the society. The Congress Vice President argued that Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra developed because once women there were empowered and they actively participated in development programmes.

Rahul Gandhi: Active participation of women is a must for development

Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi, along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched the UMEED programmme for the empowerment of women in central Badgam district in Jamju and Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi said that active participation of women is a must for holistic development of the society.

The Congress Vice President argued that Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra developed because once women there were empowered and they actively participated in development programmes. Rahul Gandhi also said that Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had sanctioned Rs.750 crore under UMEED to the state to organise self-help groups (SHG) of women for addressing their economic challenges and curb social evils like drug addiction and female foeticide. Rahul Gandhi added that the UMEED initiative had gone a long way in making women confident and enabling them to stand on their own feet.

The young congress leader said that he had visited Jammu and Kashmir last year and met youth at Kashmir University, and invited them to visit Amethi and see the benefits that women received from the UMEED, just so a similar one could be taken up in Jammu and Kashmir. "I took Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with me to Amethi so that he could also take a view of the success of this programme", said Rahul Gandhi, adding that the trip had culminated in the launch of UMEED in Jammu and Kashmir. "We can provide help, but you have to work yourselves to achieve the goals of welfare, social justice and development", he said.

Omar Abdullah, speaking on the occasioin, underlined the role of women in curbing female infanticide and drug addiction.

The chief minister said the empowerment of women was an area his government would focus on, and it was with this end in view that 33 percent reservation in Panchayat Elections had been introduced for women. He lauded the women of the state, saying they were participating actively in programmes meant for them, and that the candidates in the seats reserved for women in the panchayat elections demonstrated great courage and enthusiasm.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad, union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir Mohan Prakash, and the president of the state Congress committee and MP Saif-ud-Din Soz, and local legislator Aga Ruhulla Mehdi were also present at the function. Omar Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi also interacted with a group of women from Lar, Khan Sahib, Basholi and Chenani blocks in the state who had just returned from a visit to Andhra Pradesh to observe the success of UMEED.

Under the UMEED programme 90,000 self-help groups linking nine lakh women in 143 blocks covering 4,098 panchayats of the state would be organised in five years to address the concerns that women face in the state, and attempt collectively to improve their economic conditions.

Rahul Gandhi: UPA has transformed the mood in Kashmir

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was in J&K to inaugurate a scheme meant for women named “Umeed”. While interacting with the media he said, Where ever we are in Government , where ever we are in partnership we do our job. We do it aggressively. That is why I have come to Kashmir. It's very important to me. I come from Kashmir historically. And I would like to see participation of people in Kashmir at the local level and I would like to see it progress possibly one of the fastest progressing state of our country. Replying to a question on the relationship with ruling party he said, We have a healthy constructive relationship. On change of leadership in Pakistan and it's impact on J&K Rahul Gandhi said, the real change has to come from within. We cannot be dependent on what is going on in the rest of the world.  How can we involve our people in Kashmir, how can we give them more voice , how can we involve them in the government at the local level, how can we involve these women , how can we ensure that youngsters have jobs. How can we ensure progress. Whether the leadership in Pakistan is good or bad, that's not in our hands. He further said UPA2 and UPA1 has transformed the mood in Kashmir. Progress takes time. But there is massive progress in Kashmir. Progress in the sentiment of the people. There is a progress in the connectivity that Kashmir is having. There is progress in Tourism. We are on a upward forward path. We are going to ensure that the people of Kashmir get the development they deserve.

Rahul Gandhi in Budgam (Kashmir), 15th June 2013

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi attend a union rural development ministry function to review the implementation of Umeed, an ambitious project to organise more than nine lakh women under 90,000 self-help groups in the next five years and impart them skilled training in Kashmir.