Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 5: While advocating the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the State, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Act should be withdrawn in phased manner whereas, resolution of Kashmir issue was not possible without the involvement of Pakistan and the permanent peace can’t be restored in the State till this problem is settled once for all.
Replying to the debate on Governor’s address in the Upper House today, the Chief Minister reiterated his party’s demand for the revocation of AFSPA from the State. He said the Union Government must review the situation and withdraw Act from the areas, where it was no longer required first and later it should be gradually withdrawn from the other areas where improvement in the situation is witnessed. He pointed out that the issue of AFSPA has not been put on the back-burner by his party. “If the lone woman Irom Sharmeela from North East, can fast in protest against the AFSPA for 12 long years why can’t I speak against it,” Omar maintained.
“In the areas where we do not need Army, this Act can be repealed from those places. Our discussion with the Centre on this issue is on. I believe that we are right on this issue and will continue to support our demand. A lady is on fast for the last 12 years only for revocation of this Act and in her comparison I have done nothing. I am just talking about its revocation. I never said to remove it entirely and I am not that much senseless. I am just asking to remove it where it is not needed,” Omar added.
While referring to the recent attack by the Naxalites on the Indian Air Force helicopter in a Naxal- hit Chhatisgarh, the Chief Minister said, “When you do not remove AFSPA there why do you need the Act in the State here. I am not politicizing the issue. It would have been better if I would have been in the opposition and demanded to repeal the Act where I would have known that nothing could be done.”
Referring to the bloodshed and turmoil in the State during past few decades, Omar said, “We can not afford to linger on this issue any more. The people of this State have already suffered a lot and seen bloodshed. New Delhi should realize it. And for the resolution of this issue we can not ignore Pakistan. Without the involvement of Pakistan this issue can not be settled once for all. If money or gun would have the solution, the issue would have settled till now. This is the political issue and can be settled with the political will and wisdom of all the stake holders including New Delhi and Pakistan.”
“We have told Delhi that one day, the solution of this issue has to be reached. It is not possible that no body will oppose the solution or it should be acceptable to all. There may be some opposition at some pockets or areas but it should be acceptable to the majority of the people in all the regions and major stake holders. Many people like Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sheikh Mohd Abdulla and others tried for the resolution of the issue. We should keep trying and look into the external and internal dimensions of the issue. Centre must take initiate and involve Pak in the dialogue,” the Chief Minister added.
Commenting on the over all situation, the Chief Minister said in last 25 years, 2012 remained the most peaceful year in the State. Compared to 2011, the year 2012 has witnessed 37 % improvement in militancy and violence front.
“We want that people live in peace here but some people tried to exploit the situation and disturb peace. No body wants curfew. It was my compulsion to impose curfew in Kashmir, otherwise there would have been blood shed and innocent killings. Opportunists would get the opportunity to create violence, exploit people and engineer killings blaming Government as it happened previous years. The security forces also maintained maximum restrain and controlled the situation. There was only one casualty of a youth due to drowning, otherwise it would had not happened. I will not seek pardon from anybody for that as I did what the situation demanded in the larger interest of my people, ” Omar maintained.
On the killings of Sarpanchs and Panchs, the Chief Minister said it was not possible to provide security to all but in area of domination, police patrols can be increased. It is unfortunate that elected representatives are being targeted to further exploit the situation. He said some vulnerable areas have been identified and force deployment was being strengthened. In view of situation arisen after Guru’s execution, the security force men from various areas were withdrawn and deployed in Srinagar and other major towns where situation demanded. Due to this some areas became vulnerable and militants got opportunity to strike. It happened due to the situation exploited by some people for political benefit. They politicized the issue for power lust and have no respect for human values and sympathy for those being killed.
While referring to the postponement of Block Development Council elections, the CM said after issuance of notification by election authorities the process was stalled in order to provide reservation to women, SCs and others. He said the process has almost been completed and the elections to the BDCs would be held shortly. He assured the House that elections to the Urban Local Bodies would also be held shortly and most probably in 2013.
Omar said RTI Act has been brought to bring transparency in the system of governance. Process of e-tendering has also brought great transparency in the system. Accountability Commission was established by previous regime for vested motives to pin point some wrong decisions taken during 1996-2002 and it had specific agenda. But his Government has tried to make it a better and an accountable institution.
Some people tried to create a hype among masses that new police act was being enacted by State Government. Basically, we wanted to initiate an exercise to discuss Model Police Act as adopted by Himachal and Kerala States. It was put on the website for seeking public response before discussing it in the Cabinet and Legislature and moving ahead for making a new law but misinformation campaign was launched. He also stressed for educating Sarpanchs and Panchs about their duties and role and said that they should ensure that powers are being granted to them for public cause and it should not be compared with the financial aspects. He said Sarpanchs can check attendance of teachers in schools, Anganwadi functioning, quality of mid day meals and nutrition in Anganwadi centres etc. and then report to Administration at Block, Tehsil or district level for cognizance. The powers should not be mis-used.
Omar pointed out that unemployment, security concern and corruption were the major issues before the Government and his regime was trying its best to deal with them. Fast track recruitment has been started and the purpose of offering half salary for first few months is to accommodate more and more unemployed educated youth. But from the day one they will be permanent employees and get entitlement of all the benefits from date of joining.
In obvious reference to the remarks of a senior PDP member, Omar said, “ I am also a daily wager and his Ministers are also so. Daily wagers work more efficiently than the permanent ones. And when an employee turns permanent, he has no fear of losing job and his performance go lower. While remaining daily wagers, he and his cabinet colleagues will perform better for the public cause,” Omar maintained.
The Chief Minister said great efforts are afoot for improving tourism infrastructure in the State. Over one crore pilgrims visit Mata Vaishnodevi and if we managed to divert one to two percent pilgrims to other areas like Patnitop, Mansar Shiv Khori etc, it will be a great achievement. He pointed out that in power sector Government was losing Rs 2000 crore every year. The power theft has created more problems for the Government. He said besides increasing power generation, increasing power infrastructure was equally important and his Government was working towards this direction. He also announced the officer for the domestic power consumers to wave off their interests and penalities if they want to settle their account. It will be unique offer and Rs 22 crore waive offer has been given to the consumers willing to pay their long pending dues.
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