Jammu, Nov 23: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday claimed that abrogation of article 370 has brought transparency in the governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

“In last two years, the work that has happened in Jammu and Kashmir is absolutely stunning. The government procurement, government recruitment, government spending of its resources, taxation or deployment of resources or whatever it be, these things are now available online 24X7 and in a very transparent manner,” the Union Finance Minister told reporters while addressing a press conference at Jammu’s Raj Bhawan after launching new schemes and handing over orders to various beneficiaries under the financial inclusion and credit outreach programme.

Sitharaman , who is on her first visit to Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, said that even recruitment at most senior level is done as per norms and all backdoor operations and leakages have been plugged.

“So in terms of bringing transparency in the governance and in terms of bringing a great transparency in the overall governance, I would honestly thank abrogation of 370,” the Union Finance Minister said.

Stating that Jammu and Kashmir is rapidly passing through developmental phase.

“The development is reaching to all sectors and in a transparent manner,” she said.

She said that economy of Jammu and Kashmir will be doubled in next few years as the region is rapidly passing through the development phase.

She also said that the projects which were earlier stalled are being completed and communities deprived of benefits are now being benefited.

All social security schemes introduced by the Centre are reaching to the people, she said.

“Had good interactions with women entrepreneurs in Kashmir on Monday, which was very inspiring,” said the Finance Minister.

She said that the development of J&K in every aspect is taking place and the World Bank is pooling through an agency for development of this region.“We will ensure that more public sector banks come in J&K so that a healthy credit outreach can be given,” she added. kno