J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik said that the "tremendous work" carried out by him was far more than what was done by the elected governments that had previously served the former state. J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik recalled the message that PM Modi had given to him regarding the region's growth and development. The Governor also said that the Centre was "eager" for the growth of J&K

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday revealed the message that he had received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he first took charge of the erstwhile state. He said that PM Modi had asked him to ensure that the state "shines so much" that people living in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would want to come to J&K.

Addressing an event in Srinagar, Malik said, "When I came to take charge of Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister told me to make Jammu and Kashmir shine so much that people of PoK would want to cross the border over to our side and say proudly, this is our Kashmir."

The Governor added that the "tremendous work" carried out by him was far more than what was done by the elected governments that had previously served the former state.

The J&K Governor noted that the Centre was “eager" about helping the people of the region and asked the people to state their demands.

“The central government has given us 8 medical colleges this year alone, which is more than what has been given to any other state in the country. We are soon going to have 4,500 doctors in the state. This is the perfect time for development in the region, I would request the people to keep the pressure on their politicians. Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji meeting Sarpanches of the villages from the state is a sign that the Centre is standing there with open arms,” Malik said during his speech at the function. 

Jammu and Kashmir had been put under Governor's rule in June last year after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew support from the coalition government with the PDP. Following that, the state was placed under President's rule.

Meanwhile, on August 5, the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 - that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir - via Presidential order. The Centre also announced the division of the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.