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India does not need lessons from anybody: PM

By Our Staff Reporter

Jammu Aug. 29. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today asked the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain the spirit of traditional brotherhood and communal harmony to take the State forward in all fields.

At a reception organised here this morning, he said: "I caution the people of Jammu and Kashmir not to fall prey to the propaganda launched by the neighbouring country which is trying to disturb the peace process".

As one of the largest democratic and secular countries, India did not need lessons from anybody. Underscoring the need for an equitable development of all three regions of the State, he said: "All the regions of the State are equal partners in the socio-economic development and no one should feel discriminated."

Though some sectors had developed fast and some at a slow pace, it did not mean that they were being neglected. Justice would be done in respect of all areas.

On the railway projects, he said "the Jammu-Udhampur rail line will be completed by March 2004 and Udhampur-Katra by March 2005. Many more projects would follow."

Expressing satisfaction over the holding of the Inter-State Council meeting in Srinagar, he said: "Chief Ministers hailing from different political parties and different parts of the country had assembled with the objective of initiating steps for the socio-economic development of the people."

He expressed happiness over the increase in the number of tourists and pilgrims. Tourism was also being given the thrust in Ladakh. There was a need for a boost to the tourist sector which was the backbone of the State's economy.

Referring to the demand to include Dogri in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, Mr. Vajpayee assured to give Dogri its due status and said other demands of the Jammu region would be given attention.

He congratulated the Mufti Government for living up to the people's expectations and for accepting the challenge of restoring peace.

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