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Congress neglected SPOs, Modi Govt hiked salary 4 times: Dr Jitendra Singh

Young Bites. Dated: 4/15/2019 9:18:21 AM

JATINDER KHAJURIA Basohli, Apr 14 Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Parliamentary constituency Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that even though the SPOs (Special Police Officers) and VDCs (Village Defence Committees) were constituted by the Congress Government nearly two decades ago, but it neglected them and it was only the Modi Government after 2014 which enhanced the salary honorarium of SPOs four times from mere Rs.3,000/- before 2014 to Rs.12,000/- per month today.Similarly, many of the VDCs which offered their services to guard against terrorism in the most difficult times remained unpaid over the years and it is only the Home Ministry under the Modi Government which took the decision that none of the VDCs in future will again remain unpaid. This is the difference between BJP and the Congress, as far as the commitment to the nation's security is concerned. Addressing a series of well-attended election public meetings in peripheral areas of Basohli, Ramnagar and Billawar Assembly segments here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Modi Government not only adopted a decisive policy against terrorists but also ensured respect and honorable emoluments for Security Personnel as well as SPOs and VDCs.He said, it is for the first time that under the Modi Government, Security Forces were given free hand to decide the kind of anti-militancy action to be taken, depending upon professional wisdom and discretion. Referring to air-strikes on terrorist training camps in Pakistan, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a new norm of combating terrorism, not only by preemptive or defensive action but also by proactive action by reaching out and scuttling the very source of terrorism.He asked the Congress leadership to explain whether they endorse the stand taken by its ally, National Conference (NC), which continues to express doubts about the credibility of the air-strikes. Dwelling on a series of development works done in the Udhampur-Kathua- Doda Lok Sabha constituency in the last five years, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the benefits of the Modi schemes have reached even those who had in 2014 voted for the Congress and therefore, he expressed confidence that this time, even the family members of the Congress leaders are going to vote for BJP.