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| RTC only viable platform to settle Kashmir issues: Vakil | | Hurriyat should avail it for putting across viewpoint | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Apr 8
Minister for Social Welfare Mr. Abdul Gani Vakil today said that political parties should come to common platform for working out solution to Kashmir-centric issues instead of staging upmanship show adding Hurriyat Conference should also avail such fora to put across its view point.
Two Round Table Conferences held in the state were the only effective and viable forums for settling issues, he said.
Addressing a public meeting at Chadoora in Budgam district, the Minister said, “Jammu and Kashmir State enjoys distinct identity under Article 370 of Indian Constitution. Any formula emanating from whatever quarter cannot ignore the unique centre state relationship under this provision”, he said.
Seeking to bring home the point that development and national interest was of paramount importance to Congress, Vakil said, “it has always sacrificed power to uphold sovereignty and unity of nation. The party paved way for late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to become Chief Minister in 1975 and repeated it in 2002 when Mr. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed assumed Chief Ministership”, he added.
Hailing the centre government for according national priority to prestigious Jammu-Srinagar railway link, Vakil said that the project would give much-needed fillip to tourism and industrial sectors besides ensuring safe and comfortable journey for local people.
The Minister said that UPA government at centre has been liberal in providing grants for flagship projects to speed up economic growth and development of the state. “Even in Rajouri, Poonch border districts survey will be carried out to connect them with railway link”, he added.
He said, Congress led UPA government also opened Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch Rawalakot road links to facilitate meeting of divided families across LoC. He said no regional party should claim credit for this confidence building measure, as the same was centre subject beyond the competence of the state government.
Vakil also referred to development boom being carried out in both Jammu and Srinagar divisions for integrated development of the state under Azad led government, “instead of playing with emotions of people our government believes in welfare of people through development and extension of basic amenities to improve their life standard and mitigate hardships”, he said.
Vakil also distributed cheques worth Rs 2.50 lakh among the 24 beneficiaries under National Family Benefit Scheme.
Among others, Minister for Sports Haji Nissar Ali, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Amrina Badar, Farooq Andrabi and Zahid Hussain spoke on the occasion. |
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