Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, Sept 13: Vowing to end political instability of 70 long years in the state and restore people’s honour and dignity, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said he enjoys the faith and confidence of people in taking J&K forward on the path of peace and development.
He said Islam’s message of peace is too loud to be lost in the din of violence perpetrated by some people in its noble name. “Peace will not return with guns but dialogue. Innocent people in Syria, Iraq and Yemen are fleeing and taking shelter in Europe to escape bloodshed in their countries. Leaders like Chancellor of Germany and Prime Minister of England are taking a lead to provide succour to the refugees who are in a despicable condition,” he said, while reiterating his slogan of Na Grenade Se Na Goli Se, Baat Banage Boli Se.
The Chief Minister was addressing a large gathering of people at Government Degree College for Boys, here today.
Promising people to annihilate distances and give them their rights, Mufti Sayeed said J&K was just like a locked jail with no keys in sight when he took over in 2002. “We build roads, strengthened institutions and encouraged people-to-people contact, including confidence building measures across the LoC. I promise to take forward that agenda again,” he stated.
Advocating opening of more cross-LoC points to take trade and travel beyond divided families, the Chief Minister said he travelled to Kaman Post and Salamabad twice to convey his message of peace so that stability returns to the region. He said he has promised to make Uri a smart town and he will soon visit Chakan da Bagh, in Poonch, to take firsthand appraisal of the cross-LoC trade and travel there.
“My thought is the thought of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. I have no yearning for power. I want to bring a positive change and give people their right and restore the glory of this wonderful State,” he added.
Reflecting on his decision to ally with BJP, on which the people of India had reposed complete faith in 2014 Parliamentary elections, Mufti Sayeed said he had the option of even forming the government with Congress, but taking cognizance of the wishes of the people of all the regions of the State, he chose to form a stable Government with BJP to usher in a new era of development in the State.
Mufti Sayeed said he has a big vision for J&K which will see equitable development of all the three regions of the State. “We will practically demonstrate our resolve to improve communication network, education, health, rural and urban development,” he emphasized.
The Chief Minister said it is the responsibility of the State to ensure optimum utilization of funds allocated under Centrally-Sponsored Schemes amounting to Rs. 6,000 crore. “We have to build our capacities to be able to expend these funds in full, which would be a great achievement for the State,” he added.
Reiterating his commitment to compensate each and every flood victim, the Chief Minister said the Centre has to realize what people have gone through during last year’s deluge that left behind a trail of death and destruction. “It is a herculean task to restore the public and private infrastructure that was damaged in the September floods. Our focus will be on reconstructing the houses that were fully damaged in the floods and reviving the business activities of our people,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the rehabilitation and restoration is an ongoing process and the Government is utilizing all resources at its disposal, including the World Bank assistance of Rs.1500 crore, till special package from the Centre arrives.
Referring to the efforts of the government in giving new direction to the education sector by establishing smart classes and computer labs across the State, Mufti Sayeed said this initiative has been immensely appreciated and the same model is being recommended for implementation in the rest of the country.
In the higher education segment, he said steps are being taken to reorient the professional courses offered by the universities and colleges to enhance the possibilities of the placement of the pass-out students in country’s prestigious private firms, so as to address the larger issue of unemployment in the State.
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