Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 28: Reiterating his determination to work for revocation of AFSPA unabatedly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed confidence that the gradual removal of the Act will start from his Government’s tenure.
Addressing a public gathering at Rajpora in Pulwama district this afternoon, he asserted that the State will witness revocation of AFSPA during the time of his Government adding that benefits of peace will be circulated all across.
Omar said that his endeavour is to take peace dividends to every household and make public fully empowered to ask questions about the performance of government at all levels. He said his Government has initiated various measures in this directions adding that enactment of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), Right to Information Act (RTI), Panchayat elections and transfer of powers to these bodies vindicated his Government’s commitment for good governance and public empowerment.
He said that by the enactment and implementation of PSGA, the common man has been legally empowered to get service delivery within the prescribed time frame. He said the Government officials have been legally made bound to ensure service delivery within the prescribed time limit. He said that any laxity or failure on the part of Government official on this count makes him liable for specific fine and a part of which would be paid to the affected consumer as a compensation.
Omar said that his Government by implementing Right to Information Act and constituting State Right to Information Commission has given ample power to people to question any Government department about its functioning, physical progress of works, financial transactions and other related matters. He said this has paved the way to make functioning of Government departments transparent and curb the chances of corruption.
The Chief Minister referred to the holding of Panchayat elections and empowering Panchayats to perform some 50 services transferred to these institutions. He said more powers are being transferred to Panchayats and Panchs and Sarpanchs are being given trainings to enhance their capacity for utilizing the powers transferred to them. He said that elections to block Panchayat Councils will be held this year to make these bodies functional at block levels.
Taking a dig at PDP leadership, Omar without naming the party said that when they were in power they never talked about revocation of AFSPA or other such related issues. He said that PDP voted against the Rehabilitation Policy resolution moved in the State Legislative Assembly by M.Y Tarigami and supported by National Conference which was in opposition at that time and PDP in power.
The Chief Minister said that National Conference symbolized the aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He said that this party has made tremendous sacrifices time and again to uphold public cause and safeguard the solidarity, amity, brotherhood and equitable development of all regions and all section of the society. He said the damage done to the NC in Pulwama and South Kashmir will be undone by rejuvenating the party rank and file and rebuilding this area as strong fortress of NC and its ideology as this area was known for in the past.
Omar welcomed the joining of local leader Mohi-ud-Din Mir to NC describing it Mir’s home coming.
The public meeting was also addressed by the Minister of State for PHE and Home, Nasir Aslam Wani and Javed Dar.
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