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| Even last Guv's address gives miss to Omar's 2008 vision document… | | NC's Greater Autonomy? | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Feb 10: Several promises of the vision document of National Conference (NC) have failed to find place even in the last address of Governor N.N.Vohra to the members of state legislature of the present NC-Congress coalition government.
The government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would be completing its 6 year term by the end of this year. However, the vision document which the technically sound, well-qualified, energetic and young Chief Minister (CM) had unveiled on October 2008 i.e. before the last assembly elections and wherein he had promised skies, has been seemingly long forgotten. If the NC leaders are to be believed, it was Omar's vision for the people of this state.
The last Governor's address makes no mention of the promises enshrined in the vision document of National Conference. Omar can talk of coalition being a major hurdle in the implementation of his vision document but recent 'resignation' drama over the creation of administrative units does indicate that he could have got his wishes fulfilled, had he shown courage and wisdom.
Governor's last address, which should have essentially been an insight into government's vision for future, is merely a government pamphlet or advertisement, showcasing what various administrative departments has done during the last one year. Observers maintain that there is neither any roadmap for future nor any mention about the vision document promises of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
While unveiling the document, Omar had promised "Vision document has only outlined an implementable road map for development in the next decade and the NC government shall endeavour to follow this in letter and spirit so that the vision of a prosperous State in which every individual lives with dignity and earns his livelihood with honest toil is given practical shape."
Though not a part of vision document but Omar has repeatedly pleaded for constituting 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission'. Once he took over in January 2009, Omar closed the debate once and forever by stating that the commission would become a reality only if India and Pakistan join hands. Omar had pledged that his government would pursue with the central government need for objective and urgent consideration to resolution on autonomy passed by state assembly.
Although, media is not privy to what might have transpired behind the closed doors but Omar's track record shows that not even one consultation was held with government of India over this first major promise of vision document during the last five years. Observers do maintain that Omar should not be blamed for having given up the ideology of NC on lease to Congress, just for staying in power.
The last Governor's address makes no mention of dialogue with separatists or for the matter with Pakistan, though NC had promised dialogue and reconciliation as way forward. The last address has preferred silence over vision document's promise of fighting against corruption wholeheartedly while avoiding highhanded, impulsive, or propagandist approach. Silence is understandable since Omar has nothing to show when it comes to taking action against corrupt sitting the corridors of power.
Clerks have been penalised but those in higher echelons of power have not only been allowed to go scott free but enjoy prize postings one after the other. Revenue board are yet to see light of the day and the last address of Governor forgot them too. NC has accepted 73rd amendment demand of Congress but made no mention of this in the Governor's address for the reasons better known to them.
Omar seems have forgotten that his vision document promised empowerment of local bodies but on ground, the local body elections have been postponed till eternity. Ask for the reason and you would get no response. Some PDPwallas maintain that it is fear of NC getting routed in the twin capital cities which is not allowing Omar to take a decision on this.
Omar vision document stated that his government would consider duplicating the Hill Development Council Model of planning in the far-flung and backward areas and gradually extending this pattern to all districts. No progress has been made on this front but what has been done is that new administrative units have been created, thus making offices priority over development at the grassroots.
NC has delivered on one of its promises. The promise was that it would provide stipend to unemployed youth. However, the mode it has taken is contrary to its promise in the vision document. It had promised Rs. 3500 as stipends but the government is now offering employment to unemployed at Rs. 1500 to Rs. 3000 for first five years. It has created a huge gulf between the Babus class and the non-gazetted cadre of the state.
While Babus get full salary on day one, the non-gazetted cadre would be getting Rs. 1500 to Rs. 3000 for first five years. This is despite the fact that non-gazetted cadre works far more than the gazetted cadre. There is much to the story but Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must ask for a copy of vision document and see what could have been easily implemented has been left untouched. His problem might be coalition with Congress but sacrificing idea of NC for power goes contrary to what the party claims to be standing for since its birth in the year 1931. |
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