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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{COI|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jitendra Singh
| image = Jitendra Singh.jpg
| caption = Singh on a video conference meeting, c.2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age |1956|11|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]
| residence = [[New Delhi]] 
[[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]<ref>[http://myneta.info/ls2014/candidate.php?candidate_id=2778 Jitendra Singh – Affidavit Information Candidate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613062240/http://myneta.info/ls2014/candidate.php?candidate_id=2778 |date=13 June 2014 }}. Myneta.info. Retrieved on 1 August 2014.</ref>
| office = [[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region|Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region]]
| term_start = 9 November 2014
| term_end = 7 July 2021
| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor = [[V. K. Singh]]
| successor = [[G. Kishan Reddy]]
| office1 = [[Minister of State]] for [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]]
| primeminister1 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| term_start1 = 26 May 2014
| office2 = [[Minister of State]] for [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions|Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]]
| primeminister2 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| term_start2 = 26 May 2014
| office3 = [[Minister of State]] in the [[Department of Space]] and [[Department of Atomic Energy]]
| term_start3 = 26 May 2014
| term_end3 =
| primeminister3 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor3 =
| successor3 =
| office4 = [[Minister of Earth Sciences]]
| term_start4 = 26 May 2014
| term_end4 = 8 November 2014
| primeminister4 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor4 = [[Jaipal Reddy]]
| successor4 = [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]
| office5 = [[Minister of Science and Technology (India)|Minister of Science and Technology]]
| term_start5 = 26 May 2014
| term_end5 = 8 November 2014
| primeminister5 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor5 = [[Jaipal Reddy]]
| successor5 = [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]
| office6 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency6 = [[Udhampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Udhampur]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|J&K]]
| term_start6 = 5 June 2014
| predecessor6 = [[Chaudhary Lal Singh]]
| alma_mater = [[Stanley Medical College]] ([[M.B.B.S.]]) [[Government Medical College, Jammu]] ([[Doctor of Medicine|M.D.]])
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| spouse = {{Marriage|Manju Singh|1982}}
| children = 2
| profession = [[Physician]]
| website = {{URL|www.drjitendrasingh.in}}
}}
'''Jitendra Singh''' (born 6 November 1956) is an Indian [[physician]] and politician. He is the [[Minister (government)|Minister of State (Independent Charge)]] for the [[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region]] and [[Minister of State]] for [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]]; [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions|Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]]; [[Department of Atomic Energy]] and [[Department of Space]].<ref name="auto">[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/for-better-synergy-maximum-efficiency/article6055075.ece For better synergy, maximum efficiency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530011658/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/for-better-synergy-maximum-efficiency/article6055075.ece |date=30 May 2014 }}. The Hindu (28 May 2014). Retrieved on 1 August 2014.</ref>

He is a [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) national executive member and was the chief spokesperson for the union territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/people/minister-of-state-independent-charge-jitendra-singh-531178 Minister of State (Independent Charge): Jitendra Singh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530141752/http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/people/minister-of-state-independent-charge-jitendra-singh-531178 |date=30 May 2014 }}. NDTV (26 May 2014). Retrieved on 1 August 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Make the interlocutors' report on Kashmir public: BJP |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-14/india/29542904_1_interlocutors-jammu-and-kashmir-kashmir-centric |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103110517/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-14/india/29542904_1_interlocutors-jammu-and-kashmir-kashmir-centric |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=14 May 2011 |access-date=14 June 2012 }}</ref> He won the [[Udhampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Udhampur seat]] in the Indian general election, [[2014 Indian general election|2014]] and [[2019 Indian general election|2019]] for the [[16th Lok Sabha]] and [[17th Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Profile on BJP Web Site |url=http://www.bjp.org/en/know-your-candidate/candidate/dr-jitendra-singh |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518014228/http://www.bjp.org/en/know-your-candidate/candidate/dr-jitendra-singh |archive-date=18 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

He was a professor of diabetes and endocrinology,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dr Jitendra Singh focusses on young diabetics |url=http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=88939 |work=Early Times |date=17 February 2012 |access-date=14 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527215227/http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=88939 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> a consultant, clinical practitioner, author of eight books, and a newspaper columnist. He is the ex-chairman for the National Scientific Committee Diabetes and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India.

==Early life==
Singh was born on 6 November 1956 at [[Jammu city|Jammu]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] state to Rajinder Singh and Shanti Devi in a [[Dogra]] family.<ref name="LS">{{cite web |title=Singh, Dr. Jitendra |url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4718 |publisher=Lok Sabha |access-date=31 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="DNA"/> His family belongs to [[Marmat (tehsil)|Marmat]] area in [[Doda district]].<ref name="native">{{cite news|last=Wani|first=Abid Hussain|title=Jitendra Singh's native area has no bridges|newspaper=Early Times|location =[[Jammu]]|pages=2|date =16 Apr 2019|url=http://www.earlytimes.in/mobile/newsdet.aspx?q=259935|access-date=12 Jun 2020}}</ref> Jitendra is the eldest of three brothers. His 10-year junior younger brother <nowiki> Devender Singh Rana </nowiki> is also a politician and belongs to the [[Jammu and Kashmir National Conference]] party.<ref name="DNA"/><ref name="IE">{{cite web |title=The doctor is in |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/the-doctor-is-in-11/ |publisher=[[Indian Express]] |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=29 May 2014}}</ref>

Singh received a [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|M.B.B.S.]] degree from [[Stanley Medical College]], [[Chennai]] in 1978 and completed his [[Doctor of Medicine|M.D.]] from [[Government Medical College, Jammu]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Jitendra Singh(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- UDHAMPUR(JAMMU & KASHMIR) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=https://myneta.info/LokSabha2019/candidate.php?candidate_id=4957 |website=myneta.info |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>

==Professional career==
Besides being a doctor, Singh has also worked as a newspaper columnist. Initially he wrote for ''[[Kashmir Times]]''. However, he was unhappy about how the newspaper covered events related to [[Kashmir]]. Subsequently, he switched to ''[[Daily Excelsior]]'',<ref name="DNA"/> which is the largest circulated newspaper of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. His weekly column 'Tales of Travesty' used to feature in the editorial section of the newspaper until his election to the Lok Sabha in 2014.<ref name="dispatch">{{cite web |title=Jitendra Singh, J&K's only representation in Union Ministry |url=https://www.thedispatch.in/jitendra-singh-jks-only-representation-in-union-ministry/ |publisher=The Dispatch |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=31 May 2019}}</ref>

==Political career==
===Formative years===
In 2008, Singh was appointed spokesperson of the Shri Amarnathji Sangharsh Samiti, an umbrella organisation of right wing parties during the [[Amarnath land transfer controversy]].<ref name="DNA"/> During his stint with the organisation, he took premature retirement as a professor of [[endocrinology]] in the [[Government Medical College, Jammu]] to join the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in 2012.<ref name="DNA1">{{cite web |title=Like Narendra Modi, Jitendra Singh too was denied US visa |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-like-narendra-modi-jitendra-singh-too-was-denied-us-visa-1991986 |publisher=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA]] |access-date=31 July 2019|date=29 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name="IE"/> However, the party refused to make him a candidate for the [[2009 Indian general election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BJP drops one Amarnath Samiti name |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/bjp-drops-one-amarnath-samiti-name/436793/ |publisher=[[Indian Express]] |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=20 March 2009}}</ref>

===Parliamentary career===
In March 2014, the party announced that Singh would contest the upcoming [[2014 Indian general election|general election]] from [[Udhampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Udhampur constituency]] in his native Jammu.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Masood Hussain |title=Descent in J&K BJP as Nirmal Singh denied ticket |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/descent-in-jk-bjp-as-nirmal-singh-denied-ticket/articleshow/31847093.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=11 March 2014}}</ref> His primary competitor was [[Ghulam Nabi Azad]] of the [[Indian National Congress]] party who was a former [[Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir|chief minister of the state]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Ahmed Ali Fayyaz |title=The second homecoming |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-second-homecoming/article5815819.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=22 March 2014}}</ref> Singh was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] after defeating Azad by a margin of 60,976 votes. Singh was polled {{formatnum:487369}} votes while Azad was polled {{formatnum:426393}} votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=2014 Elections Results: Ghulam Nabi Azad fails to make maiden bid from JK, Congress routed from Jammu |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/2014-elections-results-ghulam-nabi-azad-fails-to-make-maiden-bid-from-jk-congress-routed-from-jammu/articleshow/35215968.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=16 March 2014}}</ref>

On 27 May 2014, Singh was appointed [[Minister of State]] in the [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]], Minister of State for [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions|Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]], Minister of State for [[Department of Atomic Energy]] and [[Department of Space]]. He also became the Union Minister of State (Independent charge) in the [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Ministry of Science and Technology]] and [[Ministry of Earth Sciences]].<ref name="LS"/><ref name="auto"/>

In March 2019, the party renominated Singh as its candidate from the Udhampur constituency for the upcoming [[2019 Indian general election|general election]]. His main rival was [[Vikramaditya Singh (politician)|Vikramaditya Singh]] of the Congress party and supported by [[Jammu and Kashmir National Conference]] party. He is also the grandson of [[Hari Singh]], the last monarch of the [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|former princely state]]. Jitendra Singh fought the election on his "development report card".<ref>{{cite web |title=Jitendra Singh to face direct contest with Dogra Maharaja's grandson in Udhampur Lok Sabha seat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jammu/jitendra-singh-to-face-direct-contest-with-dogra-maharajas-grandson-in-udhampur-lok-sabha-seat/articleshow/68576567.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=26 March 2019}}</ref> Notable campaigners for him included Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], party president [[Amit Shah]], [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] [[Rajnath Singh]], [[Ram Madhav]] and cricketer [[Gautam Gambhir]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Lok Sabha polls: J&K's Udhampur awaits a battle of ballots among 4 Rajputs |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha-2019/story/2019-lok-sabha-polls-j-k-s-udhampur-awaits-a-battle-of-ballots-among-4-rajputs-1504446-2019-04-18 |publisher=[[India Today]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=18 April 2019}}</ref> Jitendra Singh was re-elected to the Lok Sabha after defeating Vikramaditya Singh by approximately 350,000 votes. Jitendra Singh was polled 7,15,406 votes compared to his rival's 3,66,123 votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jitendra Singh attributes victory from Udhampur to BJP workers' hardwork |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/jitendra-singh-attributes-victory-from-udhampur-to-bjp-workers-hardwork-119060701329_1.html |publisher=[[Business Standard]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=7 June 2019|newspaper=Business Standard India |last1=India |first1=Press Trust of }}</ref>

On 31 May 2019, it was announced that Singh had retained his ministries in the [[Second Modi ministry]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) 2019: BJP's man in J&K retains all berths from previous term, including Development of North East Region |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/jitendra-singh-minister-of-state-independent-charge-2019-bjps-man-in-jk-retains-all-berths-from-previous-term-including-development-of-north-east-region-6726581.html |publisher=First Post |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=31 May 2019}}</ref>

===Minister of Science and Technology===
[[File:Dr. Jitendra Singh taking charge as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, in New Delhi on May 28, 2014.jpg|thumb|200px| Dr. Jitendra Singh taking charge as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, in New Delhi on May 28, 2014]]
As a minister of science and technology, Singh launched India's first indigenously made [[research vessel]] named "Sindhu Sadhana" on 14 July 2014 from [[Mormugao]] harbour in [[Goa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Now, India gets first local research vessel |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/now-india-gets-first-local-research-vessel/story-UPkSjf00oB3PfrSz73weZI.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=14 July 2014}}</ref> In a written response to the Lok Sabha on 31 July, he announced that India had signed cooperative arrangements with 33 countries for "peaceful use of outer space". He further added that areas of co-operation included [[remote sensing]] of earth, [[launch service provider|launch services]], satellite communication, [[telemetry]], [[space exploration]] and [[space law]].<ref>{{cite web |title=India Working With 33 Nations For Peaceful Use Of Outer Space |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/india-working-with-33-nations-for-peaceful-use-of-outer-space/articleshow/39345015.cms |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=31 July 2014}}</ref> He further launched India's first home-made broad spectrum [[confocal microscopy|confocal microscope]] on 7 October at [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr Jitendra Singh Launch's Product Developed Under CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (CSIR-NMITLI): A Unique Public -Private - Partnership (PPP) Programme |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=110328 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=7 October 2014}}</ref> He announced that the government was considering increasing the retirement age of scientists to 62 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retirement age of scientists may be raised to 62 years |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/retirement-age-of-scientists-may-be-raised-to-62-years-718688.html |publisher=[[News 18]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=7 October 2014}}</ref> The ministry increased the stipend of researchers by 50% at the end of the month.<ref>{{cite web |title=Research stipends hiked by over 50% |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/rKTUNcwte5tWUeb4pgDdYL/Research-stipends-hiked-by-over-50.html |publisher=Live Mint |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=22 October 2014}}</ref> On 8 November 2014, Singh was replaced by [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]], another doctor as the minister of science and technology and earth sciences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Out of health ministry in just 5 months, Harsh Vardhan takes charge of science and tech ministry |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Out-of-health-ministry-in-just-5-months-Harsh-Vardhan-takes-charge-of-science-and-tech-ministry/articleshow/45105298.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=11 November 2014}}</ref>

===Minister of state in space and atomic energy===
[[File:Dr. Jitendra Singh visiting the Semiconductor Laboratory of the Department of Space.jpg|thumb|200px| Dr. Jitendra Singh visiting the [[Semiconductor]] Laboratory of the [[Department of Space]]]]
During Singh's ministership, the fourth [[Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System]] was launched by [[ISRO]] in April 2015 which would provide "navigation and communication facility to all the surrounding countries".<ref>{{cite web |title=Isro all set to give navigation services, says Jitendra Singh |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/469957/isro-all-set-give-navigation.html |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=4 August 2019 |date=6 April 2015}}</ref> On 29 April 2018, he along with ISRO chairman [[K. Sivan]] confirmed that India would send a manned mission to moon by 2022 as proposed by Prime Minister Modi.<ref>{{cite web |title=3 Indians will reach space within 16 minutes of launch: Isro chairman |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/3-indians-will-reach-space-within-16-minutes-of-launch-isro-chairman/articleshow/65579117.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=4 August 2019 |date=29 April 2018}}</ref>

===Minister of state for Personnel, Public Grievances and pension===
[[File:Dr. Jitendra Singh taking charge as the Minister for State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.jpg|thumb|200px| Dr. Jitendra Singh taking charge as the Minister for State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014]]
During Singh's tenure as the minister of personnel, public grievances and pension, the [[Union Public Service Commission]] refused to count the marks of English comprehension in the [[Civil Services Examination (India)|Civil Services Aptitude Test]]. This violated the status quo of the question paper as suggested by the [[Arvind Varma]] committee.<ref>{{cite web |title=UPSC row: Modi govt should worry about careers, not only BJP votes |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/upsc-row-modi-govt-should-worry-about-careers-not-only-bjp-votes-1649413.html |publisher=First Post |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=5 August 2014}}</ref> Interviews were discontinued for lower tier government jobs as well the need of attestation by a gazetted officer was also discontinued.<ref name="dispatch"/> On 20 March 2019, [[Pinaki Chandra Ghose]], a former [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] judge was appointed as India's first [[Lokpal]].<ref name="dispatch"/><ref>{{cite web |title=India's First Lokpal Appointed: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose as Chief, 8 Members |url=https://thewire.in/government/indias-first-lokpal-appointed-justice-pinaki-chandra-ghose-as-chief-8-members |publisher=[[The Wire]] |access-date=4 August 2019 |date=20 March 2019}}</ref>

===Minister of state for Development of North Eastern region===
[[File:A delegation of indigenous communities from Sikkim meeting the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (IC), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.jpg|thumb|270px| A delegation of indigenous communities from [[Sikkim]] meeting the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (IC)]]
[[File:Dr. Jitendra Singh addressing the inaugural session of the Northeast Business Summit.jpg|thumb|250px| Dr. Jitendra Singh addressing the inaugural session of the Northeast Business Summit]]
On 8 November 2014, in a cabinet reshuffle, Singh was appointed Minister of State (Independent charge) in the [[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region]] and replaced [[V.K. Singh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=What went wrong? VK Singh lost Doner to MoS for personnel Jitendra Singh |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/what-went-wrong-vk-singh-lost-doner-to-mos-for-personnel-jitendra-singh/articleshow/45104244.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=11 November 2019|last1 = Sharma|first1 = Aman}}</ref> In the ministry, he introduced the use of satellite imaging for surveying and building roads and for "preparation of utilisation certificates with fool-proof accuracy". He advised [[Sarbananda Sonowal]], the [[Chief Minister of Assam]] to utilise the Assam Remote Sensing Application Centre to construct smart cities and in urban development.<ref>{{cite news |title=Many space applications not being fully utilised: Minister |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/many-space-applications-not-being-fully-utilised-minister-116071401193_1.html |publisher=[[Business Standard]] |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=14 July 2016|newspaper=Business Standard India |last1=India |first1=Press Trust of }}</ref> On 23 November 2015, Singh announced that the central government has decided to make [[Mizoram]] a "bamboo state" and the ministry proposed steps for the commercial utilisation of the state's bamboo potential.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mizoram to be bamboo state: Jitendra Singh |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mizoram-to-be-bamboo-state-jitendra-singh/articleshow/49895935.cms |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=23 November 2015}}</ref>

In January 2016, he said that the [[Northeast India]] was "emerging destination for new Startups". In the [[Startup India]] scheme launched by Modi, the ministry added an additional incentive, "venture"funds. This fund would provide the aspiring entrepreneurs "relief from financial liabilities" and thus according to Singh, youth from other parts of India would "participate in the development of the North-Eastern States".<ref>{{cite web |title=Northeast is emerging destination for new startups: Dr. Jitendra Singh |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Business/2016-01-30/Northeast-is-emerging-destination-for-new-Startups-Dr-Jitendra-Singh/203657 |publisher=The Hans India |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=30 January 2019}}</ref>

In September 2018, [[Pakyong Airport]], [[Sikkim]]'s first greenfield airport was inaugurated by Modi. Previously, Singh had set up a deadline of 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikkim's Pakyong airport is an engineering marvel, a historic moment for India, says PM Modi - Highlights |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/pm-narendra-modi-in-sikkim-to-inaugurate-sikkims-first-airport-at-pakyong/289014 |publisher=Times Now |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=24 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakyong airport in Sikkim to become operational by 2017 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/pakyong-airport-in-sikkim-to-become-operational-by-2017/articleshow/50503378.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=8 January 2016}}</ref> In the same month, he announced that an airport would also be built in [[Arunachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Arunachal airport work will start soon: Jitendra Singh |url=http://www.uniindia.com/arunachal-airport-work-will-start-soon-jitendra-singh/states/news/1364332.html |publisher=UNI India |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=28 September 2018}}</ref>

===2014 Jammu and Kashmir election===
On 17 November 2014, the party announced that Singh was appointed the head of the 18 member Election Campaign Committee for the upcoming [[2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election|legislative assembly election]] in his native state.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jitendra Singh to head BJP's Election Campaign Committee in Jammu & Kashmir |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jitendra-singh-to-head-bjps-election-campaign-committee-in-jammu-kashmir/articleshow/45175381.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=17 November 2014}}</ref> He formulated the strategy for the party.<ref name="DNA"/> However, no party managed to get a majority in the election.<ref name="DNA">{{cite web |title=Kashmir's Dogra bros divided in politics |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kashmir-s-dogra-bros-divided-in-politics-2047463 |publisher=[[Daily News and Analysis|DNA]] |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=28 December 2014}}</ref> The media speculated that Singh might become the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir as he had the support of [[Narendra Modi]] and [[Amit Shah]] and was popular amongst the Hindus of [[Jammu region|Jammu]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Who will be Jammu & Kashmir's new CM? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/people/who-will-be-jammu-kashmirs-new-cm/dr-jitendra-singh/slideshow/45659152.cms |publisher=The Economic Times |access-date=31 July 2019 |date=27 December 2014}}</ref> The party negotiated with [[Jammu and Kashmir National Conference]] party in order to form a coalition government. However, talks fell flat when the National Conference rejected the demand of a Hindu chief minister for which Singh was a front runner.<ref name="DNA"/>

==Political views==
Singh said that the [[Article 370 of the Constitution of India]], which gave a special status to the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] was temporary in nature and quoted India's first prime minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] for the same.<ref>{{cite web |title=Special status to J&K is temporary, even Nehru said ye ghiste ghiste ghis jaayegi: MoS Jitendra Singh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/special-status-j-k-temporary-nehru-ghiste-ghiste-mos-jitendra-singh-1558366-2019-06-29 |publisher=[[India Today]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=29 June 2019}}</ref> He alleged that Congress and National Conference parties had fooled the people of the state "in the name of Article 370". He further criticised former chief minister [[Sheikh Abdullah]] for misusing the article to lengthen the term of the assembly.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congress, NC misused Article 370 for political gains: Union Minister Jitendra Singh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/congress-nc-misused-article-370-political-gains-union-minister-jitendra-singh-1574564-2019-07-28 |publisher=[[India Today]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=28 July 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life==
On 16 April 1982, Singh married Manju Singh. They have two sons.<ref name="LS"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{commons category|Jitendra Singh (BJP politician)}}

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{{s-par|in-lwr}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Lal Singh Chaudhary (politician)|Lal Singh Chaudhary]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for [[Udhampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Udhampur]] |years=2014 – present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jaipal Reddy]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Science and Technology (India)|Minister of Science and Technology]]|years=26 May 2014 – 9 November 2014 ''Minister of State with Independent Charge''}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jaipal Reddy]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Earth Sciences|Minister of Earth Sciences]]|years=26 May 2014 – 9 November 2014 ''Minister of State with Independent Charge''}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[V. K. Singh]] ''Minister of State with Independent Charge''}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region|Minister of Development of North Eastern Region]]|years=9 November 2014 – present ''Minister of State with Independent Charge''}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-end}}
}}
{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet}}
{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}}
{{Energy Ministries and Departments of India}}
{{16th LS members from Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{17th LS members from Jammu and Kashmir}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Jitendra}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Indian medical researchers]]
[[Category:Indian endocrinologists]]
[[Category:People from Udhampur district]]
[[Category:Union ministers of state of India]]
[[Category:Union ministers of state of India with independent charge]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Medical doctors from Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:17th Lok Sabha members]]

Jitendra Singh (politician, born 1956) - Revision history

115.96.216.24 at 11:44, 1 January 2022

>VNC200 at 06:57, 8 July 2021