Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 14: Vice President Hamid Ansari today arrived on a five-day visit to Kashmir Valley and held inter-actions with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during which he discussed present political scenario and achievements in restoration of peace in the State.
The Governor, the Chief Minister and senior officials of the civil administration and police received Ansari at the Srinagar Technical Airport here. He later flew by a chopper to Raj Bhawan, official sources said.
This is Ansari’s first visit to Kashmir since his re-election as Vice President of the country last month.
Ansari will visit Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir tomorrow for an overnight stay while he will visit Dachigam National Park in the outskirts of the city on his return here on Sunday.
The Vice President will be the chief guest at the National Science Congress organised at Kashmir University on Monday.
Governor NN Vohra hosted dinner for Mr Ansari at Raj Bhawan this evening. The Vice President was accompanied by his wife, Salma Ansari.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Legislative Council Chairman Amrit Malhotra, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, PCC (I) chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Chief Justice of J&K High Court Justice M M Kumar, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Om Prakash and Kashmir University Vice Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad also attended the dinner.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah this evening had one on one meeting with Mr Ansari at Raj Bhawan here.
Matters relating to the development of Jammu and Kashmir came up for discussion in the meeting. Present political scenario and achievements on restoration of peace and tranquility were also discussed in the meeting, official sources said.
Omar apprised Mr Ansari of the historic initiatives taken by the coalition Government for empowerment of people and ensuring good-governance. He also told him of the measures his Government has taken to curb corruption, bring transparency in the functioning of administration and involving people in the process of plan formation and implementation of development schemes through empowered Panchayat Raj system.
Mr Abdullah gave resume of the historic Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) enacted and implemented in the State to make public service delivery time bound. He also referred to the measures taken by the Government to strengthen State Accountability Commission and implement Right to Information Act through the State Information Commission.
The Chief Minister apprised the Vice President of the initiatives of the Government to ensure holistic and equitable development in all the regions and sub-regions of the State. He also detailed measures under implementation for the inclusive development and welfare of weaker sections of the society including Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Gujjar and Bakerwals and Pahari Speaking people.
Omar expressed gratitude to the Union Government for extending all possible financial and logistic support to Jammu and Kashmir to march ahead on road to peace and prosperity.