news details |
|
|
| Three-pronged strategy to address J&K centric issues: Azad | | CM expresses confidence over success of Indo-Pak talks | | Jammu, January 12
Asserting that three-pronged strategy has been launched to address all issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad said that dialogue between India and Pakistan, interaction between the centre and separatists and constitution of five working groups in sequel to decisions of Srinagar roundtable conference are main components of the peace strategy. He said dialogue between leadership of the two countries might have taken place earlier but it is for the first time that a strategy has been set in place where representatives of all shades of opinion, regions and communities have been involved in the process.
Expressing confidence that Foreign Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee will represent the aspirations of all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in Pakistan while talking to his counterpart and others, he wished success of the talks.
In his 105-minute speech replying 3-day discussion on Motion of Thanks on Governor’s Address, in Legislative Assembly today, Mr. Azad gave a detailed account of initiatives and steps government has taken on various fronts to bring about positive change in peace scenario and catapult development process in right direction.
Chief Minister while presenting a scenario of necessity to pre-pone the budget session and declaring it highly significant decision, said the idea is to help timely completion of works programme by making optimum utilization of funds next financial year.
Explaining its positive effects, Chief Minister said that budget session used to be held from mid February to mid of April, then there was administrative approval of works, releasing of funds and durbar move of offices consuming more than three months of working season. He said when funds were becoming available for launching works, rainy season used to mar the working season yet again. Similarly, in cold regions, winter starting from October was also putting tremendous hurdles in the way of completion of works.
Referring to human rights, Mr. Azad said that every government and leadership wishes to bring down rights violation to zero level and work for the same, but efforts made in this direction have to be viewed in the background of peace situation prevailing in the state. “We are fighting a proxy war since last seventeen years but talk of human rights as should be in normal and peaceful situation. This is not the real appreciation”, he maintained.
Chief Minister said that during the last seventeen years especially from the time democratic dispensation took over, there has been gradual decline in human rights violations. Giving figures on this account, he said custodial killings dropped from 57 in 1993 to only 4 in 2006, while as only one custodial disappearance has been registered last year.
Chief Minister highlighting the aspects of new work culture and good governance said that the effectiveness and prompt response to the people’s requirements alongwith providing justice irrespective of any consideration are ingredients to judge credibility of government. “We have caught the bull by its horns and concentrated our attention on all fronts, may it be facilitating Indo-Pak dialogue, interaction between centre and separatist groups, initiation of local CBMs, channelizing highest ever financial support from the centre, taking forward massive development programme in all areas of the state in the fields of education, road connectivity, PHE, irrigation, health, social welfare, industries etc”, Chief Minister said and asked “if this doesn’t reflect credibility of government, what else it speaks of”.
Referring to the stringent measures taken against corruption and mal-practices, he said that enactment of novel legislation to seize the ill-gotten property of proven corrupt government functionaries has not only been hailed widely but Chief Ministers of various states have asked him to provide them a copy of the legislation for making similar laws. Azad said that implementation of Wazir Commission recommendations and going beyond it to accommodate the aspirations of people of all areas is yet another feather in the cap of government’s good work culture and response to public demands. He said history-making decision of creating 8 new districts, 3 sub-divisions and 13 tehsils itself speaks loud and clear about the credibility of the government.
He said the follow up action about the decision is all the more important and government has not lagged behind in it also. “We have already constituted Bloeria Committee for demarcating geographical areas of new administrative units and its chairman has told me that he will not ask even one day’s extension beyond 15th February, the date fixed for the report of committee.” He said nodal officers have already been placed to find out and create office infrastructure for the newly created administrative units so that new administration starts work from April, 2007.
Chief Minister said that coalition government has brought about education revolution in the state, adding that establishment of 6 university campuses, 22 new degree colleges, 9 training institutes, opening up of more than 3000 primary schools and upgradation of 2116 primary, middle and high schools itself speak of the landmark achievements registered in this sector.
Beseeching upon all legislators and appealing them earnestly not to use unemployment issue as a political slogan and raise the aspiration of youth regarding providing them employment falsely, Chief Minister said this amounts to misleading the public in general and youth in particular for political reasons.
Referring to the government’s friendly gesture towards employees, Chief Minister said that upward revision in TA/DA/TMA and medical allowance has been made providing timely and much needed relief to its employees. He said that at the same time, government has sensitized employees about their responsibilities to improve work culture. He said Chief Minister’s Gold medal for honest and efficient government functionaries has been announced as incentive and five officials have already been awarded this medal.
Referring to Roshni scheme, Chief Minister said “Roshni which was kept in darkness for over years has been brought to light by our government to make the act workable and beneficial”. He said a Bill for making the changes in the existing legislation is being introduced in the current session. He said it would benefit a large number of bonafide users of state land besides generating revenue for the government.
The House later passed the motion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
