*Coins new slogan: Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabke Saath Insaaf
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 21: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today announced that Jammu and Kashmir would have elected chairpersons of the District Development Boards (DDBs) and Block Development Committees (BDCs) as the Government would hold elections to two major institutions soon after the Panchayat elections in April next and give them full powers.
The Chief Minister’s announcement came at a huge rally addressed by him at Fountain Garden in the border town of Poonch this afternoon after reviewing facilities for cross-LoC trade and travel along Poonch-Rawlakote route and laying foundation stone for Loran -Basam Gali road at Loran.
Mufti declared that his Government was committed to opening of more cross-LoC routes in the State including Suchetgarh route in Jammu to connect people of two parts of divided State, boost trade and travel and allow more people (other than the divided families) to visit the two parts for different activities like education, tourism, healthcare etc.
“We are not going to hold Panchayat elections for the sake of elections only and keeping them without powers as they were at present. The Panchayat elections will follow elections to the posts of BDC and DDB chairpersons and this will be for first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that there will be elected chairpersons to the two prestigious institutions,” he said amidst applause from the crowd.
Presently, the Cabinet Ministers including the Chief Minister himself holds the posts of chairpersons to the DDBs as the previous Government didn’t hold elections to BDCs and DDBs. Mufti has already announced holding of the Panchayat elections in April next. The Panchayats will complete their term in July next year.
He also promised all powers to the newly elected Panchayats at par with other States, where Panchayati Raj system was working very well and the Panchayats enjoy massive powers.
“Similar powers will also be given to Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Corporations, Councils and Committees), whose elections will be held after the Panchayat polls,” the Mufti said.
Asserting that there was no option other than talks, the Chief Minister, who has strongly been supporting talks on both internal and external fronts, reiterated his call for talks by the Central Government on both fronts. Though he didn’t mention Pakistan or separatists in his speech, Mufti has already stressed for talks between India and Pakistan and Centre and separatists. He called upon India and Pakistan to bring down the wall of hatred for friendly ties between them.
He called for creating an environment of reconciliation between India and Pakistan to break deadlock and signal new thaw between the two countries. He said that bonhomie between India and Pakistan will lead to peace and development in the State.
At the same time, he called for heart-to-heart relations among the people of all three regions of the State. “We have to unite the people of all three regions and this was the major factor that we opted for coalition with the BJP. This was the opportunity to unite people of all three regions. The mandate was such. And, I grabbed the opportunity. The people will now see the results”.
He extended the slogan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’ with ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabke Saath Insaaf’ while referring to equal treatment with all three regions of the State.
The Chief Minister also had an indirect dig on the call given for ‘Million March’ during historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Srinagar on November 7.
“On one side, a call was given for the `Million March’ and on the other side, there was rally of the Prime Minister. The people thronged to the rally of the Prime Minister,” he said.
Lauding Narendra Modi, Mufti Sayeed said he was the first Prime Minister after Rajiv Gandhi in 30 years, who got absolute majority in Lok Sabha. He hailed the package extended to Jammu and Kashmir by the Prime Minister and said it will not only help the flood victims but also generate massive infrastructure including flood protection works.
“The Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees were awaiting compensation since 1947. Whether they get Rs 2 lakh or Rs 5 lakh, their demand has been met by the Modi Government,” he said.
Asserting that there was no shortage of funds for development in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister hinted at the State getting funding under Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the ratio of 90:10. “We have been assured on this front by the Centre,” he added and said the real challenge for the administration would be to spend the money.
Referring to the problems of people living ahead of the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, Mufti Sayeed said he Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda has visited the villages and suggested making them as ‘model villages’ to address the issues of the people.
“We will like the villages ahead to LoC to be converted into the model villages so that the people don’t have to repeatedly cross the fencing for their day-to-day requirements,” he said
Referring to cross-LoC trade and travel, Mufti Sayeed said his Government was committed to take up the issue for opening of more cross-LoC routes in Jammu and Kashmir including Suchetgarh-Sialkot route in Jammu, which would boost border tourism in the State.
He said the cross-LoC travel shouldn’t be left confined only to divided families but allowed to the people for education, tourism, healthcare etc.
“Why can’t the student from PoK come and study in Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University here”?, he asked.
Describing cross-LoC trade as the biggest breakthrough in the history of the State, Sayeed placed high priority on extending telecom and banking facility to broaden the scope of business.
He also favoured inclusion of additional tradable items to give fillip to local industry in the State.
“I will take up the matter at the highest level so that Pakistan is convinced to agree to the proposal in the next meeting of the Joint Working Group between the two countries,” he said, while referring to extending telecom and banking facilities at both Salamabad (Baramulla) and Chakan-Da-Bagh trading points.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing a high-level meeting at Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC), at Chakan-Da-Bagh along Poonch-Rawlakote route, located right on the Line of Control (LoC) during his visit to Poonch today.
Reiterating his resolve to take cross-LoC trade and travel forward, Sayeed said he was pleasantly surprised by the volume of trade transacted at both Salamabad and Chaka-Da-Bagh through barter system.
“It would be my endeavour to take this trade to the next level by putting in place banking and telecommunication facility to demystify the trade, for which we expect a positive response from Pakistan,” he added.
Sayeed said till such time a decision is taken to start banking and telecom facilities, an institutional mechanism needs to be evolved to facilitate periodic meetings between authorized bodies headed by respective Deputy Commissioners and representatives of trader organisations for streamlining the business between Chakan-Da-Bagh and Rawlakote.
To bolster trade and ease travel across LoC, Sayeed said he is determined to make both Chaka-Da-Bagh and Salamabad show-windows.
He pitched for adding more items in the approved list with focus on goods and products manufactured in various industrial estates of the State.
“We also need to take effective steps for promoting export of famed handicraft products of the State,” he added.
On creating additional infrastructure at both trading points, the Chief Minister asked Director MHA to have the release of funds earmarked for the purpose expedited.
Till such time the funds are released, he asked the Chief Secretary to start work on creation of dedicated parking facility, residential accommodation and sites for installing x-ray machines both at Salamabad and Chakan-Da-Bagh TFCs.
Chief Secretary BR Sharma was also present in the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, YV Sharma, president Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representing three Chambers of Jammu, Kashmir and Muzaffarabad demanded hassle free business between the two sides and development of infrastructure. He demanded inclusion of more items in the trade. Rajesh Jain, Lalit Mahajan and Annil Suri accompanied him.
An official handout said Mufti Sayeed was informed by Commissioner / Secretary Industries & Commerce that a meeting has been scheduled with Secretary, Internal Security, MHA, on December 4 next month in which the issue of inclusion of additional items that can be exported across LoC through Chakan-Da-Bagh and Salamabad points will be discussed. Some of the trade out items included in the list are metal, alloy and chemical products, readymade garments, edible products, cricket bats, wooden and steel furniture, canned wazwan and chicken, Plaster of Paris, juices & jams, packaged drinking water and plastic and sanitary ware.
The Chief Minister was informed that full-body truck scanners will also be installed at both trading points shortly, which will facilitate increase in the quantum of trade.
As per available figures, the volume of trade on Chakan-Da-Bagh has been to the tune of Rs.1080 crore since 2008. Similarly, the volume of trade on Salamabad trading point has been to the tune of Rs.1700 crore.
The cross-LoC trade, which started in 2008, takes place four days a week between Tuesday to Friday. As many as 303 traders are registered and 21 items are on the approved export / import list as per Standing Operating Procedure.
Later, the Chief Minister also interacted with the traders, who gave their suggestions for providing further impetus to the trade across the Line of Control.
In order to reduce distances between regions, the Chief Minister earlier laid foundation stone of 42-km-long Loran-Barapathar-Jamiyanwali Gali-Basam Gali Road, which will connect Poonch with Gulmarg, in Baramulla district.
In the first phase, the 15-km road stretch from Loran to Kuliyan, a scenic spot, will be constructed by BRO at a cost of Rs.31.57 crore. The road will provide much-needed connectivity to areas like Saran, Dogar Nallah, Tirkanna and Oranpathri.
During the project briefing, Mufti Sayeed called upon Border Road Organization (BRO) to fast-track work and complete the project within the deadline of two-and-a-half years. He also issued directions for clearing bottlenecks like obtaining forest clearances and completing pending land acquisition proceedings so that the work on the project begins in the right earnest.
Sanctioned at a cost of Rs.210 crore by MHA, the critical stretch of the road in the last phase will be executed by Project BEACON.
Highlighting the need to create avenues for skill development to enhance employability of educated youth in the district, the Chief Minister announced setting up of a Nursing College at Poonch and a School of Skill Development at Mandi.
Unveiling his agenda for development of far-flung and remote areas of the state, Mufti Sayeed promised people an era of good governance and transparent administration that delivers justice right at people’s doorsteps. He said a team of officers will soon visit Poonch to recommend steps in making the border district a tourist destination. “Poonch has a glorious past. It is a place with rich heritage that we need to showcase,” he added.
Referring to the attention his Government had attached to development of road infrastructure, Mufti Sayeed said the Mughal Road, which provides alternate connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir divisions, has been prioritised in the state sector and a plan has been conceived to construct tunnel to further reduce the distance. “We will construct quality roads and bind contractors to a ‘Defect Liability Clause’ which will ensure they maintain roads for a period of three years,” he added.
In view of the difficulties confronting the people, the Chief Minister directed the R&B Department to take up the up-gradation of Thanamandi-Buffliaz and Buffliaz-Surankote roads under the State sector.
The Chief Minister also made a reference to the fast-tracking of four-laning of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which is expected to be completed by 2017. “Once complete, the distance between the two capital cities will be considerably reduced,” he stated.
In his address, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh exuded confidence that the PDP-BJP alliance, being pragmatic and representative, will deliver on ground. He outlined the vision of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to transform J&K into a prosperous and vibrant State of the country. He referred to the Prime Minister’s speech in Srinagar where he had stated that the treasuries of Delhi will always remain open to J&K. “The coalition Government led by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will ensure equitable development of all the three regions, especially its far-flung and remote areas,” he added.
Nirmal Singh also thanked the Central Government for sanctioning a generous package for J&K which envisions holistic development of all key sectors in the State, particularly relief to the flood victims, PoK refugees and Kashmiri migrants.
Speaking on the occasion, CAPD Minister Ch. Zulfkar highlighted the steps taken by the Government to ameliorate the difficulties faced by the people living in remote and inaccessible areas of the State. He made a pointed reference to the measures taken in strengthening the Public Distribution System, following transition to 2011 Census.
Describing Mufti Sayeed as a statesman, Naeem Akhtar spelled out the vision of the Chief Minister for forging an alliance with BJP. He credited the Chief Minister for taking the Generation Next into consideration rather than petty political and electoral gains. “Mufti Saab is the biggest connector of his time who has taken upon himself the challenge of bringing the people of three distinct regions of the State closer,” he added.
Works Minister Altaf Bukhari, who is also the Chairman of the District Development Board, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for the visit to Poonch and assured him that all the decisions taken in the last DDB meeting are being religiously implemented. He also gave a brief resume of the roads that have been taken up for blacktopping in the district.
Also present on the occasion were former MLA Sardar Rafiq Hussain Khan, Hamid Manhas and Iqbal Kazmi.
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