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| Liberal investment essential to boost state’s economy: CM | | | EARLY TIMES REPORTER
Srinagar | Sept 24
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has sought NRIs involvement on a large scale who reconstruction of militancy torn Jammu and Kashmir, saying everyone of us has a role in restoring pristine glory of Kashmir – the heaven on earth”. He said lot of destruction, killings and bloodshed have put state in shambles in every field of life. “Time has come that endeavours are made with sincerity and commitment to re-build peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir”.
Expressing these feelings during his ten days tour to USA and Europe where Chief Minister also received prestigious award for outstanding statesmanship and public service, said conducive atmosphere for lasting peace has to be strived for jointly and with commitment by all.
Azad during his tour also addressed European Parliament at Brussels and delivered speech at European Institute of Asian Studies.
He interacted with Members of International Crises Group Centre at Belgium, participated in question-answer sessions, met people of wide-ranging influence in the political and economic fields, had meetings with NRIs, Trading and Travel Groups, media persons, NGOs, government officials and reputed companies in trade and travel.
Intellectuals, cross-section of USA society, Belgium Think Tank, European Union Members, Members of European Institute of Asian Studies, media persons and others were highly impressed by the view point presented by Azad during his addresses and interactions. The main thrust of Chief Minister during his interaction sessions was to rope in NRIs and International companies having repute in trade to participate in Jammu and Kashmir’s reconstruction programme to create a scenario of progress and job availability to youth.
Advocating feasibility and high potential for investment in the sectors of power, agriculture and horticulture. Azad said that Kashmir is most ideal place for investment in IT sector. Chief Minister stressed the NRIs and other industrialists to give considered thought for large scale investment in these sectors in the state, saying that mineral resources abundantly available here also provide a large room for investors to come forward. He made them aware that atmosphere for investment in the State at present is as inviting, conducive as anywhere in the world.
He said Havana declaration with regard to curbing terror and militancy jointly by India and Pakistan would prove highly significant in ending militant activities in the state and ensuring peace for development,.
Chief Minister said the joint statement issued in Havana on September 16, after the Summit meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Musharraf. The two leaders have agreed to set up a joint mechanism to “identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations”. This is a most important decision because it commits Pakistan to work together with India to stop cross-border terrorism and to help investigate, apprehend and punish those who are responsible.
“We have repeatedly asserted that the dialogue process between the two countries can only be sustained in an atmosphere free from terrorism. We welcome the resumption of the composite dialogue and the renewed efforts to make progress on both the Siachen issue and the Sir Creek issue.
We in Jammu and Kashmir particularly welcome the commitment of the two sides across-Loc CBM’s, including additional transportation and trade-links. These are the kind of people-oriented measure which can help dispel the sense of division and alienation among people of the state, Chief Minister added.
Azad said, “I am happy to inform you that although the confidence building measures (CBMs) undertaken by the government of India and the government of Pakistan during the last over two years are sometimes overshadowed by the acts of terrorism in India, nevertheless the progress is not discouraging. As far as the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Specific CBMs’ are concerned, the opening up of the two road links snapped since 1947, namely the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road in 2005 and the Poonch-Rawalakot road in 2006 has been a landmark achievement. It is also heartening to recall the great acts of cooperation in the October 2005 earthquake relief effort between the Governments of India and Pakistan and people on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). Above all, the ceasefire announced in November, 2003 has actually sustained without a short fired from either side.
He said, “let me assure you that the internal dimensions of the problems in Jammu and Kashmir are also being addressed to by the Government of India and the State Government with special focus on relief and rehabilitation of the violence affected people, unemployment, revival of the economy and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure”.
Azad said that government of Jammu and Kashmir, in consultation with Government of India, has decided to proceed with economic reconstruction in a manner that is acceptable to all. The basis premise of the new strategy is peace through economic reconstruction. To implement this strategy, the Government of India is financing a special three-year reconstruction plan. He said the $ 240 billion dollar reconstruction plan for Jammu and Kashmir – which spans economic, social and human infrastructure – is a set of structural economic initiatives aimed at expanding the resource base of the economy, rebuilding the physical infrastructure and investments that will ensure delivery of basic services and restoration of livelihood through creation of time bound employment programmes.
He said State Government has put in place an institutional arrangement, called the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA). Apart from the special assistance under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, the State of Jammu and Kashmir has been receiving liberal funding for development and provision of services at an average rate of over a $ 1100 million dollars each year.
He said, “on the political front, the government of India and the Prime Minister himself have called for unconditional dialogue within the framework of the Indian constitution and invited the separatist political organizations like the ‘Hurriyat Conference’ for talks. The government of India have even appointed a Special Emissary for talks with the separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, but unfortunately, the response from the separatists has been very poor resulting in practically no headway in the talks with them. The shadow of terrorist threat is weighing heavily on the separatist political leadership with the result they are not willing to come forward. The government of India has expressed its willingness to talk even to the militant groups provided they are willing to drop the guns. However, the dialogue process among different sections of society and political groups within the national mainstream has already started and I am happy to inform you that following the two roundtables held by the Prime Minister at New Delhi and Srinagar during February and May 2006 respectively, to which even the separatists were invited who however declined to participate, five working groups have been constituted who will make recommendations on the following subjects for consideration of the Government of India and the State Government:
Group-1- Confidence Building Measures across
segments of Society in the State.
Group-2- Strengthening Relations across the LoC
Group-3- Economic Development of the State
Group-4- Good Goveranance
Group-5- Strengthening of Centre-State relations.
The Chairpersons of the Working Groups have been appointed and four out of five Groups have already started their work, Azad explained. He said Good Governance and Anti-Corruption measures have been the top most priorities of government in the State. A number of measures have been initiated to improve work culture, reduce corruption and improve monitoring of the implementation of the development programmes at the grass roots level. Acknowledging Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s vision for peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir statesmanship and distinguished public service, the State Cabinet in a resolution passed a meeting presided over by Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma felicitates the Chief Minister for receiving prestigious Pride of India award at USA, delivering thought provoking lectures at European Parliament and European Institute of Asian Studies and other places. The Cabinet also congratulated for presenting India’s point of view on various issues pertaining to the sub-continent effectively. Chief Minister who returns from 10-days tour of USA and Europe participated Congress Chief Minister’s Conference at Nanital and is expected to reach Srinagar on Monday. |
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