news details |
|
|
| Cultivation of peace must to reap harvest of progress: Azad | | Completion of Rs 7.25 crore Kunzer bridge 3 months before targeted time live example of success of double-shift work culture | |
Srinagar, October 16 – Saying that development is a continuous process and cannot wait settlement of issues as the demands and needs of people grow with time requiring immediate attention of the government, Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad said that simultaneous attention has to be given to carry forward development scenario with faster pace and commitment to seek economic well-being of the people and progress of the state along with looking for settlement of all problems faced by the people.
He said Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has provided most viable and pragmatic platform of roundtable conferences to deliberate upon issues and put forth view points which should be taken best advantage of in the interest of the state and the people.
Mr. Azad was addressing a largely attended public gathering at Kunzer Monday, after inaugurating 85 metres long steel plate girder 4-lane bridge over Ferozpora Nallah at Kunzer on Narbal-Gulmarg road.
Expressing satisfaction over the completion of bridge along with approach roads at a cost of over Rs. 7.25 crore by JKPCC within 15 months instead of targeted schedule of 18 months, Chief Minister said that last June-July during his visit to Gulmarg he had directed for switching over to double shift system of working in order to complete the bridge forming an important link between Gulmarg and Srinagar. He said the bridge which has been constructed under Prime Minister’s reconstruction plan would provide better communication facilities and befit in the over all upgradation of Narbal-Gulmarg road.
Chief Minister said he has also directed that upgradation and widening of Narbal-Gulmarg road be completed with next two years so that the important tourist town of Gulmarg would get better road communication facility for tourists and others and a visitor from Srinagar airport could reach Gulmarg within half an hour time.
He said coalition government of which PDP, Congress, PDF, NPP and representatives from various areas including Leh and Kargil are part, has drawn a peace establishing and development centric policy to create atmosphere of tranquility in the state and launch massive infrastructure development along with basic amenities and public service providing schemes.
Mr. Azad said during last 17 years state has witnessed period of bloodshed, gloom and economic retrogress. “Our development fields suffered a lot, thousands lost lives, became disable, orphans and women rendered widows. Violence like everywhere has given us nothing but innocent killings, harassment, extortion, shrieks and sorrows. It has marred our education system, created plethora of unemployed youth, crippled our trade and commerce, rendered our artisans, world-class artists of handicrafts and skillful workers jobless, not to talk of putting tourism sector into shambles”, Chief Minister maintained.
He said enemies of the state were striving right from the independence to create wedge in the society, divide the people on religion, region and other lines only for realizing their vested interests and fish in troubled waters. But people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have faith in democratic values, secular principles, amity and co-existence, always withstood the onslaught and came out victorious adding “this is the reason Mahatma Gandhi saw Kashmir as a ray of hope and silver lining in black clouds when entire sub-continent was under the fire of hatred and violence”.
Chief Minister said in a democratic set up every person has a right to have difference of opinion but violence is no means to put forth ones views when ample room of dialogue, interaction and conferences is available. He said any ruthless criticism on the government is welcome, however, it should be in a democratic and peaceful temperament. He said the sincerity and people-friendly approach demands that instead of raising the issues in wilderness, “it is befitting and appropriate that course of dialogue and interaction be adopted”.
Chief Minister said that tourism being the jugular vein for the economy, development and prosperity of the state, receives highest priority in the development policy of the government. He said creation of tourism development authorities, construction of basic infrastructure, improving communication facilities and setting up tourism comfort centres are steps in this direction. He said in Gulmarg attention is being paid for large scale infrastructure development to make it round the year tourist attraction place of world-class standard. He said Gondola Cable Car ride having a great tourist attraction requires to be showcased through a publicity campaign in and outside the country so that tourists visit the area in large numbers to have a Gondola ride in the picturesque, high altitude flower meadow of Gulmarg valley situated in between beautiful snow-caped mountainous range.
Mr. Azad said that during his interaction with Union Tourism Minister Mrs. Ambika Soni, he stressed for liberal financing for tourism sector and early release of funds for newly created tourism development authorities under Prime Minister’s reconstruction plan.
He said in his meeting with Union Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil, he urged for wholehearted financial support by the centre for massive re-construction of earthquake affected areas.
Chief Minister said that in his meeting with Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. P. R. Dass Munshi, he has taken up the issue of strengthening of Radio and Doordarshan services in the state asking for making Kasheer Channel more Jammu and Kashmir centric giving ample opportunities to local talent to get involved in programmes and flourish.
He said the Union Ministers have assured him all help from the central government and Information and Broadcasting Minister on his invitation is visiting state soon to look into the matter of strengthening of Radio and Doordarshan services.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for R&B Mr. Gulchain Singh Charak said that taking to double shift system of working, the completion of Kunzer bridge has been realized in 15 months only, saying that this innovative working system introduced by Mr. Azad is proving highly beneficial for completion of important projects especially in the areas where there is short working season. He asked the people to be involved in development process actively and keep eye on every construction work so that it is accomplished as per schedule and according to the norms.
He said that drive against the corruption launched by Mr. Azad has started showing its positive impacts and asked the people to provide full support to its further strengthening.
Minister of State for R&B Mr. Mohammad Khalil Bandh asked the engineering departments to formulate schemes under Bharat Nirman programme as lot of funds are available under the scheme in communication and other sectors. He said double shift system of working has resulted in completion of important projects within fixed timeframe and even before the targeted period as is the case of inauguration of Kunzer bridge which was washed away in the last year’s flood.
MLA of the area Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir while appreciating the efforts of the coalition government for creating a development temperament in the state, presented a charter of demands of the people of Tangmarg, Gulmarg and Kunzer areas to Chief Minister to which Mr. Azad assured sympathetic consideration.
President Municipal Committee Kunzer Mr. Abdul Karim Dar also spoke on the occasion and present among others were DGP Mr. Gopal Sharma, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Mr. Basharat Ahmad, senior officers, engineers and prominent citizens of the area
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
