SRINAGAR, June 16: Asking the people to make distinction between real and false healing touch, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today listed the measures his Government has taken to heal the wounds of the people affected by militancy in the State.
He said that the Rehabilitation Policy, passports to relatives of militants, reduction in the footprints of security forces, removal of bunkers, focusing attention on addressing of political issues, zero tolerance against rights violations, people-centric Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) and many other steps his Government has taken during the last three years itself differentiate the real healing touch from the false one propagated by the PDP during their tenure.
“This also distinguished mere slogans from solid actions”, he added.
Taking a dig on PDP and its leadership, Omar said the opposition party despite raising slogan of healing touch opposed the Rehabilitation Policy in the Legislature when it was in power. This policy was aimed at providing opportunity to the militants, who had crossed over to LoC and not taken guns in hand, to rehabilitate and live a respectable life, he asserted.
“It is NC-Congress coalition Government which framed and implemented the Rehabilitation Policy making way for these persons to return and live a peaceful life. This is called the real healing touch”, he said and also referred to the decision of his Government to do away with the blacklist of relatives of the militants maintained by the Police Department during the PDP tenure for refusing passports.
He said that any relative of the militants, who was not involved in militancy related issues is now getting passports like other common citizens.
Addressing a gathering after laying foundation of a Degree College building at Kilim in Devsar constituency of South Kashmir, Omar said that the PDP leadership has shut eyes wearing black glasses and cannot see the light of the day.
“People are wiser enough to make difference between the opportunists and the friends of the people”, he added.
Giving details of the achievements his Government has registered during the last three years, Omar said that in Devsar constituency alone which is represented by PDP MLA, his Government has spent more than Rs. 30 crore on construction and upgradation of roads and bridges during the last three years and another Rs. 11.50 crore have been earmarked for the current year.
“We are not like Pen and Inkpot Party (PDP) to starve the areas which were represented by the National Conference during the period when this party was in power”, he said asserting that justice is the benchmark of his Government and reaching out people in all areas equitably is the policy of present dispensation.
The Chief Minister said that in Devsar constituency, a bridge at Kilim Gund is under construction at a cost of Rs. 11.60 crore and 41 kilometers of roads in the constituency have been macadamized and metalled. He said that about a dozen water supply schemes at a cost of Rs. 18 crore have been completed while half a dozen such schemes are under execution. He said 7 irrigation and flood control schemes at a cost of Rs. 20 crore are in hand while Rs. 8 crore have been spent in the constituency to promote trade and tourism.
He said Mir Bazar Power Grid Station has been completed last year and two receiving stations are being commissioned this year. “These achievements itself reject the propaganda of PDP against the working of his Government”, he asserted.
Referring to public empowerment and eradication of corruption, Omar Abdullah said that his Government has taken historic measures in this direction adding that no previous Government has ever taken decisions of this significance and public importance. “We have enacted Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) to make service delivery time bound and impose fine on erring officials on this count”, he said adding that 50 services of 6 Departments of Transport, Revenue, Power, CAPD, Housing and PHE have been brought under the ambit of this Act to make the service delivery time bound. He said Home and other departments will also be brought under the purview of this Act.
The Chief Minister also referred to the constitution of J&K State Right to Information Commission to give powers to the people to ask any question regarding any performance to any Government department. He also talked about the constitution of Vigilance Commission and said that strengthening of institutions to curb corruption is the policy of his Government.
Omar appreciated the people’s wisdom to contribute greatly for restoration of peace in the State and extending support to the Government to carry forward development on fast track. He said that ever increasing tourist flow in the State due to peaceful conditions has opened avenues of economic activities and jobs for youth. He appealed the people to continue their support to the Government to realize the dream of New Kashmir and make development and prosperity rule the roast in the State.
Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation of Degree College Building at Kilim to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 12.50 crore during the period of two years. The college is being established over an area of 81 kanals of land and the building project envisages construction of classrooms, laboratory, library and administrative blocks.
He expressed hope that the infrastructure would relieve the students from various difficulties they face in receiving higher education in a rented building at present.
Talking to media persons on the occasion, Omar hoped that Pranab Mukherjee would be the next President of country.
In reply to a question regarding the strikes by a section of employees often, the Chief Minister said that his Government has always been employee-friendly. “We have entertained almost all their demands and are ready to discuss other demands in an amicable and peaceful atmosphere across the table. There is no reason for going on strikes every now and then”, he said adding that some vested interests in employee circles are compelling them to deviate from the path of negotiations and talking which is ultimately counter-productive for the interests of the employees.
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