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| Developmental works stuck-up, Azad talks of crossing 'Lakshman Rekha' | | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Apr 18: Ex-Chief Minister and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare today hit out at Omar Abdullah led Government, saying that when people get depressed due to non-implementation of developmental works, then one begins talking about crossing the 'Laxman Rekha'.
Azad made this scathing remarks on the functioning of coalition Government while talking about the staggered pace of 1500 mega developmental works which were started by him during his tenure as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that circumstances push people towards depression and force them to cross the 'Laxman Rekha', which otherwise is dear to them.
He said this while addressing a massive rally at Phinter area of Billawar Constituency in Kathua district today. Referring to an incident, Azad said that he laid foundation stone as well as inaugurated a bridge on Tangmarg-Gulmarg road. "Ten day ago, when I was going towards Gulmarg, I found that both the foundation as well as inauguration stone have been removed. It is very unfortunate. We did not do this during our tenure. We have given due respect to our coalition partners," Azad said.
He maintained that Congress has never played the politics of personnel gains. He went on to add that Congress has a big heart while its coalition partners have failed to reciprocate in the same way. In an oblique reference to both PDP and NC, Azad said that coalition partners of Congress in Jammu and Kashmir have never had as big a heart as theirs.
"While I was coming from Dayalachak to Billawar, we failed to find even one labourer working on the road dug out during our time. We had mapped the entire State and prepared a detailed road network graph. We had desired to create Bani-Lakhanpur tourist circuit. I am not aware and I will have to find out from the State Government, fate of that project," Azad lamented.
However, he was quick to add that there are no differences between the coalition partners. "I feel that a number of works which we started during our tenure and were to be completed in double and triple shifts, need to be taken up and completed. No work pertains to my home. They were works of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions. We did not differentiate between constituencies and started works without giving preferential treatment to anyone. Work was started on Hospitals, Roads, District Complexes apace. But I feel they need to be completed," Azad said.
"We want that the money which Centre is sending for the State of Jammu and Kashmir should be utilized properly for the welfare of masses. Ninety percent of State budget is Centrally funded. We want that the funds which are meant for poor and downtrodden are not misused. We expect the Government to deliver. We would do nothing to bring down Government or create hurdles in its smooth functioning. We would do everything on earth to further strengthen it," Azad said.
Regarding the representation to State's largest erstwhile district Doda in the State Cabinet, Azad said "When a district especially one which is largest in the State, remains unrepresented, it does harm developmental profile of that area. Doda is a big district and if it is without a Minister for the last more than two years, it does have an impact on its development."
Talking about Congress Member Parliament (MP) Choudhary Lal Singh, Azad said "We are in politics and are adapt of keeping many things in our heart but Choudhary Lal Singh has the habit of crossing the Laxman Rekha. He said many things even today. There is truth in it." He maintained that slow pace of work does irk to all those who want to see J&K progressing.
Referring to coalition dharma, Azad said "There was a coalition Government before the present one also. Mufti Sahib was heading it. I respect him. Congress allowed Mufti sahib to work without creating problems for him. He was allowed to penalize even our delinquent Ministers. But we did not enjoy this kind of freedom when we took over." He reiterated that Congress created 8 districts within just two and a half years of its taking over the reins of Government in Jammu and Kashmir.
"No one else would do it. As far as demand for district in Billawar is concerned, we would look into it and see if something can be done. It is no doubt one of the largest Tehsils in Jammu district," Azad promised. He further described peace as important for the development adding that prevailing stability and peace should be exploited to the maximum in order to give boost to the developmental activities in the State.
Azad said that law and order problem is comparatively better in J&K as compared to many other States and we should take advantage of the ebbing militancy related incidents and resulting peaceful atmosphere here to boost the economy and reduce unemployment. He said that we want stability and peace in the State and Congress party will cooperate with coalition partner in maintaining it.
Responding to the demands raised, the Union Minister assured that Health infrastructure will be strengthened whereby new sub centers and trauma centers will be opened in the remote areas of Kathua district. He also assured that funds will be provided for the up gradation of sub district hospital Billawar. He also sanctioned Rs 30 lakh from MPLAD for construction of stadium at Billawar.
The Minister also exhorted upon the people to take maximum benefit from the health oriented schemes launched by Central Government. He said that a health programme by the name "Savasth Bharat" launched by the Union Health Ministry is being telecast and broadcast by television and radio in all regional languages of India in evening for 30 minutes duration, where different specialists talk about treatment, prevention and cure of different diseases. He appealed to the people to take benefit from such programmes and become health conscious.
Azad also described in detail various health programmes related to child immunization and mother- child health care. He exhorted upon the people to take maximum benefits of these schemes. He also said that a new scheme has been launched by the Government for the females who go for institutional deliveries apart from usual Rs 1500 being paid to them, to and fro fare, blood, medicines, food, free of cost operation etc. also will be provided to the females. He also said that pentavalent vaccine for child immunization will be introduced in J&K from this year which will reduce the number of vaccines to be administered to the child under child immunization programme.
Azad also said that Union Health Ministry has launched a programme for BPL people where any BPL person suffering from cancer, heart ailments, kidney can get free of cost treatment in any hospital of India. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Central Government for liberal funding for the developmental activities in the State.
MP Ch Lal Singh also announced Rs 20 lakh from MPLAD for construction of stadium at Billawar. Among others, MOS Power, Shabir Ahmed Khan, legislators, G.M Saroori, Viqaar Rasool, Subash Gupta, Jahangir Mir, Naresh Gupta and Jugal Kishore were present in the rally. |
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