‘Enhancing quality of life our priority’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said all the vacant posts in various Government departments will be filled in the next six months through a “major recruitment drive.”
Addressing a gathering in Ganderbal district after inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of a series of developmental projects, the LG said that last year, a recruitment drive was initiated by the Government and hundreds of youth were recruited through a transparent system.
“Let me announce here that all the vacant posts in various Government departments will be filled within the next six months through a proper recruitment drive,” he said, adding that “poor man’s child also has a right to become an officer.”
Sinha said that in the last three years, nearly 3 lakh youth have received financial assistance to start their businesses. “The number of Government jobs given out last year was the highest in a single year since independence,” he added.
The LG said recently the daughter of a vegetable seller became a JKAS officer. “She met me and stated that she had never dreamt of seeing herself becoming an officer. I assured her that poor people’s children have equal right that of rich ones,” he added.
He lashed out at the regional parties stating that “some party’s looted the State exchequer, built huge villas in foreign and left the common man of J&K suffer.
Sinha said that gone are the days when schools and colleges would remain shut on Pakistan’s call or on the call of “its stooges here.” “J&K is on the path of peace and prosperity. People are living a peaceful life and enjoying night life as well,” he said.
He said that last year, 1.88 crore tourists visited J&K. “Who benefitted from this? A local taxi driver, hotelier, riskhaw walla, shikara walla, cart puller and others. This year, till August. 1.52 crore tourists visited J&K and the number is set to cross 2.25 crore,” the LG said, adding that some people can’t digest huge tourist arrivals in J&K too and make statements just to mislead people.
The LG said that Ganderbal is on the path of huge development. “I am glad that Ganderbal is all set to make its place on the world tourist map soon. Sonamarg witnessed 3.5 lakh tourist arrivals which is huge,” he said.
The LG said that he inaugurated a series of projects in the district but the unfortunate part was the projects whose foundation stone was laid in 2011 were being inaugurated today after a huge delay of 12 years. “A trend was set by previous rulers here to lay the foundation stones of projects and not to complete them. In Ganderbal, 75 projects were kept in languishing projects lists of which the present administration completed 33 and remaining 45 will be completed shortly,” he said.
“In the last three years, nearly 1500 projects have been completed in Jammu and Kashmir, some of which were started 15-20 years ago. I understand that when projects get delayed despite receiving funds from the Central or UT administration, it adversely affects the common man, and I believe there can be no greater crime than this. In the past three years, we have made significant progress in changing this scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. It has become clear that the development and prosperity of the region are the top priorities of the administration. Our commitment is to complete projects on time and provide all facilities without discrimination to the poor, farmers, women, and youth for their welfare, and I am pleased to say that we have succeeded in this endeavour,” he said.
The LG said that small changes would not have made a significant impact; a major overhaul was necessary, and “we have been able to achieve it”. He said the initiation of development projects serves as a testament to this change.
“Our top priority is to improve the lives of every citizen of J&K and enhance their quality of life. The Government’s goal is the economic development of Jammu and Kashmir and to empower the youth, women, and farmers to achieve their aspirations. With this aim in mind, my administration has made nearly 1,000 facilities accessible online. Previously, obtaining a single certificate required people to run from pillar to post for several months. We have now eliminated that arrangement to make things easier for people”, the LG said.
He said that in the seven decades since independence, many tasks that should have been accomplished in Kashmir have remained undone. “In the past three years, the administration has made an earnest effort to bring about positive change in the lives of common people. I want to assure you that the development and prosperity of the people will continue to be our focus, and we will create opportunities for growth in every household,” he added.
The LG said that creating chaos and confusion has become a habit for a few individuals, and they frequently make remarks that hurt the sentiments of the common people
“Recently, we decided to provide government land to the landless under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and nearly 2800 beneficiaries in the Ganderbal district have already availed of this benefit. Some people become uneasy when the poor receive land, but it’s important to note that no land was given to people from outside Ganderbal,” he added.
Sinha announced that the legitimate needs and concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will always be the topmost priority of the administration. “Those who looted the region’s treasures to fill their own houses and exploited its resources will no longer have their way. The common man will be heard, not special people,” he said.
Earlier, the Lt Governor inaugurated various projects at Government Degree College Ganderbal including 12 classroom additional accommodation, Multipurpose Hall, Gym cum Health Centre and VIKALP- Venture Incubation and Knowledge Application Launchpad. He laid the foundation stone for 50-bedded Hostel for Girls at GDC Ganderbal and released a booklet on VIKALP Incubation Policy.
The various projects inaugurated by the Lt Governor today include – Bus Terminal Complex at Beehama, Ganderbal; Cafeteria MC Ganderbal; Sind View Point and Amrit Sarovar Beautification at Beehama. He also laid the beautification of area around Clock Tower Ganderbal.
The projects of Jal Shakti Department worth Rs 13.50 crore inaugurated by Lt Governor were MGD WTP Ganderbal town; Water Supply Schemes for Ganderbal town (Phase II), Kurag Daragpora, Gogjigund Malikpora and Aug Mammer.
Nuzhat Ishfaq, DDC Chairperson Ganderbal; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Vijay Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Shyambir, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal; Sujit Kumar, DIG CKR Srinagar; Adv Altaf, President Municipal Council Ganderbal, PRI members and senior officers were present.
Meanwhile, Manoj Sinha also chaired a meeting to review the development progress of district Ganderbal.
The Lt Governor took stock of ongoing works and implementation of Central and UT Schemes in Ganderbal District.
“Private players are key stakeholders in the economic growth of any region”, he observed and asked the district administration to facilitate the potential investors through the Industry Help Centre and provide assistance to the locals in setting up Cold storage facilities.
A comprehensive District Employment Plan should be implemented, he said.
The Lt Governor appraised the functioning and activities being conducted at the Atal Tinkering labs in the district and directed for extension of necessary support to students.
The Lt Governor directed the administration and health functionaries to chalk out an action plan and work on a mission mode for Tuberculosis-free Ganderbal.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shyambir gave an overview of the development activities and progress registered under various schemes and programmes including Kisan Sampark Abhiyaan, ODOP Ganderbal (Willow wicker), District Industries Centre Ganderbal etc.
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