Public reach is benchmark of my Government: CM

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 18 : Stating that reaching out to people and ascertaining their difficulties to initiate befitting steps for redressal of grievances is the standard of his Government, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Friday said that his endeavours to empower common masses to make Government answerable to them for its all actions would continue unabated.
Interacting with various deputations, who called on him here at Awami Mulakat, the Chief Minister said that the initiatives and measures already taken by his Government in this direction have visibly impacted on ground.
“You are now empowered to ask any question from any Government Department about its functioning, transactions, commitments to public and outcome of the development schemes completed. We have also empowered the people to receive public services within a fixed time frame to the degree that any official showing laxity or failure in the delivery of the prescribed service within the prescribed time frame is liable for fine which will be detected from his salary and paid as compensation to the affected consumer”, he said, adding that this has brought topsy-turvy in the System and the consumer instead of paying bribe for getting public service will now get the compensation for not receiving it within the prescribed time frame and that too from the salary of the erring official.
The Chief Minister said that involvement of general public in development process and bring in transparency in the functioning of administration has been given considerable impetus. He said empowered Panchayat Raj System is rooting fast and grass root public representatives have been given powers to implement schemes and take part in plan formulation.
Omar Abdullah said that close rapport between the people and strengthening of institutions to check malpractices and enhance public vigil on the functioning of the administration have received significant push forward during his Government which is evident on the ground. He said his endeavours in this direction would continue to make good-governance and transparency rule the roast.
As many as 35 deputations from all across the State and from various sections of the society met the Chief Minister and brought to his notice their demands and difficulties for Government attention. Scores of individuals also presented their personal problems to the Chief Minister and sought his help for the redressal.
The Chief Minister gave patient hearing to all and gave on spot directions regarding certain matters of urgent public importance while many more were referred to the concerned Heads of the Departments for action.
The deputations which interacted with the Chief Minister included residents of Tibetan Colony, Idgah, staff of National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation, Saw Mill Owners Association, Kashmir, Bio-medical Electronic Engineers and Professionals Association, Urdu Academy Jammu and Kashmir, Gurdawara Prabandak Committee District Srinagar, Idarah Aquaf Islamia, Litter Pulwama and Tujjar Sharief, J&K Brick Kiln Association, Zamindar Association, deputation of Oncology Department of SKIMS, various NGOs, and inhabitants of Fag Ganderbal, Samboora Pampore, Beminia, Safakadal, Nandpora-Karpora Dal, Chandpora, Khanyar Srinagar, Hyderpora Budgam, Baramulla, Doda and other places.