Jehangir Rashid
Srinagar, Oct 2: Senior Congress leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister, Prithvi Raj Chavan, today said that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the centre led by Congress has taken many initiatives aimed at invoking peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharing his views during the inaugural sesssssssssion of the four day national executive meeting of Indian Youth Congress at SKICC here this morning, Chavan said that the whole nation is aspiring for peace in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and regaining its lost glory by Kashmir valley.
“Everybody wants that peace gets fully established in the State. In this direction many steps have been taken and I can assure you that the central leadership would not hesitate in taking more people friendly steps. All of us want that there is peace and tranquility in the State so that Jammu and Kashmir traverses on the path of progress and development,” said Chavan.
He said that Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President, Sonia Gandhi are keenly watching the situation in the State. He said the Prime Minister and Congress President are hopeful that situation would be completely normal in Kashmir in near future thus giving peace a real chance to flourish.
“It is important that the young leaders of the party do their duty and devote themselves to the service of the people especially downtrodden. You have to reach out to the people so that they heave a sigh of relief. There are many issues that need attention and for solving these issues it is important to deliver on the ground,” said Chavan.
Meanwhile, talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function held in connection with the 143rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here at the Congress headquarters, Chavan said that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed lot of bloodshed during the past two decades. He exuded confidence that situation would be normal very soon and people would live a normal life in Kashmir valley.
Chavan related the inflow of more than one million tourists to the Kashmir valley with the normalcy adding that this augurs well for the future. He expressed confidence that more people would come to visit Kashmir in the coming years saying arrival of tourists is a good omen for the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
He parried the question about the demand made by Congress for implementation of 73rd and 74th amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act in the State. He said since the issue is a local it would not be prudent for him to say anything in this regard. He said his statement on this issue tantamount to interference in the functioning of the local Government.
Sharing his views, Pradesh Congress Committee PCC President, Professor Saif-ud-Din Soz said that the issue of implementing the amendments would be taken with All India Congress Committee General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Kashmir valley on October 4.
“I am hopeful that Rahul Gandhi will interfere on the issue and support the demand of Sarpanchs and Panchs for empowering them in real spirit. The demand is genuine and it is due to this reason only we want the implementation of 73rd and 74th amendments. The implementation of the amendments would ensure that the real Panchayati Raj Act is put in place in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Soz.
Soz said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should not have any hesitation in implementing the amendments. He said the amendments would ensure that Panchs and Sarpanchs are engaged in the 18 schemes announced by the Central Government for the Panchayats.
Meanwhile, 100 Youth Congress leaders drawn from different States are taking part in the national executive meeting of the Indian Youth Congress. The meeting is also being attended by some of the top Congress leaders and national office bearers of the Indian Youth Congress.
Besides Prithvi Raj Chavan notable among those who have already arrived to take part in the meeting are All India Youth Congress President, Rajiv Satav and All India Congress Committee Secretary and Member of Parliament, Meenakshi Natarajan.
AICC general secretary, Rahul Gandhi is expected to address the meeting on October 4 while as the Union Minister for Road and Surface Transport, C P Joshi is scheduled to take part in the meeting on October 3.
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