Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 10: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today assured the Private Tour Operators Association that he would take up the issue of enhancement of Hajj Quota for Private Tour Operators of the State with the Government of India so that the more Aazmeen-e-Hajj could be accommodated for this year’s Hajj-e-Biatullah.
Speaking to a deputation of All Umrah Tour Operators Association at Awami Mulakat, the Chief Minister told them that he will talk to Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Salman Khurshid in this regard and highlight the need for enhancing the Hajj Quota for Private Tour Operators so that more people intending Hajj-2013 are accommodated.
Saying that roads buttress development and bridges bridge economic gaps, the Chief Minister told to a deputation from upper reaches of Kokernag that road communication sector has been receiving focused attention during the last four and a half years and his Government has concentrated on improving the accessibility to the far-off and remote areas and upgrade existing road network in the State.
The Chief Minister said that hundreds of new bridge and road schemes have been implemented and many more are in the pipeline to open up backward areas and improve communication facilities aiming at generating economic activities of wide-range nature and helping in the development of infrastructure smoothly.
Chief Minister also said that while PMGSY initiative is being utilized to construct new roads and link up cut-off and backward areas with main highways, improvement of road communication is also being properly looked after under the normal Plan and Asia Development Bank funding.
Omar Abdullah told a deputation of tribals that from upper reaches of Kokernag that the construction of roads in the areas of Ichoo, Gadole and other areas in the belt would be examined under Tribal Plan and other schemes aimed at development of backward pockets.
The Chief Minister said that inclusive development and reaching out every area in the process of development has been made the benchmark of the governance by his Government. He said that the development of weaker sections like Gujjars, Bakerwals, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes is receiving due attention under different schemes presently under implementation in the State.
In response to a demand made by another deputation regarding solar lights, the Chief Minister said that his Government is expanding the coverage area under New and Renewable Energy benefits, adding that the extra-ordinary support being provided by the Union Ministry of N&RE led by Dr. Farooq Abdullah to help the State harness non-conventional energy resources and provide solar lights to the population in backward pockets, is being utilized to the maximum to help the people. He said this initiative is also being utilized for energizing institutions like hospitals and educational institutions by using solar energy.
The Chief Minister told a deputation of Noorpora Tral that their demand for a degree college in Awantipora area and upgradation of in the availability of drinking water and irrigation facility would be examined and considered positively.
A deputation of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) led by its President, Ajaz Ahmad Khan discussed various matters relating to the welfare of employees with the Chief Minister and sought his intervention in getting the issues redressed as early as possible.
Omar Abdullah told EJAC deputation that his Government has been always employee-friendly and would continue to exercise this gesture towards them in future. He said all the genuine demands of the employees are being given due consideration and maximum of these have been accommodated while rest are under examination and consideration.
Besides some 62 deputations from various areas of the State, the Chief Minister also heard scores of individuals giving patient hearing to all.
Legislators Nasir Aslam Wani, Davender Singh Oberoi, Ghulam Qadir Pardesi and former Legislator Mohammad Syed Akhoon also led some deputations who presented memoranda of demands to the Chief Minister and sought his intervention in the redressal of their grievances.
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