Expressing that speed, adequacy and timeliness of the delivery of public services were central to good governance, the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir , N N Vohra, on Monday expressed confidence that the popularly-elected Government would address the new found aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and focus onthe gap between promise, potential and performance.
After unfurling the tricolour at the State-level function on the occasion of the 60th Republic Day, at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, the Governor stressed the need for revisiting, reviewing and suitably modifying the basic framework for ensuring delivery of various important services to the common man.
The Lady Governor, Usha Vohra, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, his wife s Payal Abdullah, Chairman, Legislative Council, G N Hanjoora, Pro-tem Speaker, Choudhry Mohammed Aslam, Ministers, Senior Judges of the High Court, Legislators, senior Civil, Police and Army officers, besides a large number of people were present on the occasion.
Vohra called for evolving a new paradigm of developmental planning and implementation to ensure that all such schemes which relate to the basic day-to-day needs of the common man are efficiently and timely executed, to yield quick and satisfying results.
In pursuing a new and well considered growth strategy, the Governor observed that it would be essential to ensure that the people are involved with the planning and implementation processes. "We must move towards an inclusive approach to achieve socio-economic growth so that the weak, disadvantaged and vulnerable sections of our society become equal stakeholders in the development enterprise and effective partners in the march towards building a strong and vibrant Jammu and Kashmir which delivers governance founded in equity and justice", he maintained, adding that for achieving this objective it would be imperative to empower the people by establishing Panchayat Raj.
The Governor said that the liberal funding by the Centre to the State has opened up vistas of opportunities for changing the traditional approaches to achieving development goals. Apart from a robust Plan allocation of Rs.4500 crore for the current financial year, and a Rs. 1,000 crore package by way of the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, he said that the State Government is receiving sizeable financial flows under the Centrally sponsored programmes like the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna, National Rural Health Mission, National Urban Renewal Mission, Border Area Development Programme, and the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme. Under the Prime Minster’s Reconstruction Plan, projects valuing several thousand crores are being executed in J&K under the Central Sector, he added.
Vohra stressed the vital importance of a strong infrastructure, particularly in the Power sector, for attracting private investment into the State. He said that with the commissioning of the State-owned 450 MW Baglihar Hydel Power Project recently, the existing power shortages would be met significantly besides giving a big boost to the State economy. He expressed concern over the continuing large power deficit and said that it retarded the pace of socio-economic development, apart from being a serious drag on the State’s financial resources. He emphasized the need for realizing the developmental potential of the State and observed that the Power sector would be among the key concerns of the new Government.
The Governor dwelt on the developmental agenda for the new Government and said that the major planks of the renewed development effort in the recent past have focused on improving physical connectivity all over the State. The commissioning of the Anantnag – Rajwansheer Railway in the Valley has paved the way for realizing the dream of rail connectivity in Kashmir. The development of an International Airport at Srinagar, which is nearing completion, holds promise for boosting the export of high value floriculture, horticulture, handicrafts and other products. The work on the Mughal Road Project is proceeding apace and this centuries-old alternate route, once completed, shall reduce the journey time between the Kashmir and Jammu regions to a few hours. He said that the timely completion of the on-going road, rail and air connectivity projects will substantially step up the level of economic activity and unlock employment opportunities for our people, particularly for those who are living in the remote rural areas.
Underscoring the vital importance of the Health and Education sectors, Mr Vohra said that despite improvement in a number of health indicators and a large increase in the number of health institutions, there were significant gaps in the delivery of adequate health services, particularly in the rural areas. He felt that the time-bound implementation of the National Rural Health Mission in the State will adequately address all existing and emerging concerns in this regard. The opening of new educational institutions, particularly in the rural areas, has enhanced access to college education.
However, he maintained that it is necessary that close attention is devoted to ensuring the quality of higher and technical education. "It is equally important to ensure satisfactory provision of elementary education in the backward and far-flung areas of the State and, towards this objective, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan shall require extremely effective implementation", he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the improving security situation in the State, the Governor said, "It is a matter for considerable satisfaction that, after the turmoil last year, the overall law and order situation has been speedily progressing towards complete normalcy". He said that the militancy-related incidents and the number of civilian casualties have reduced substantially, to levels which are the lowest ever in the last two decades of militancy. He complimented the Security Forces for progressively ensuring that the anti-militancy operations do not cause more than the most minimum collateral damages. He, however, cautioned "we cannot afford to lower the guard and the people of Jammu and Kashmir must continue to actively support the efforts of the Security Forces till the residual militancy in the State is fully eradicated". He stressed that while carrying out counter terrorism operations, the Security Forces must continue to respect the sensitivities of the people and effectively protect their Fundamental Rights.
On the just-concluded Assembly Elections, the Governor said that the unprecedented turnout of voters has generated an environment of hope and expectations. To sustain peace and normalcy and achieve the desired levels of growth and development, the rightful aspirations of the people shall need to be prioritised and satisfied timely. He said that a strong political determination will be required to assuage the urges and satisfy the aspirations of the people of the three regions of the State by giving them a sensitive, responsive, impartial and accountable administration. "The people of the State, particularly the youth, would need to play an important participatory role for achieving the social and economic transformation of Jammu and Kashmir. It would be necessary to ensure that the various developmental initiatives lead to the creation of employment opportunities to gainfully engage our unemployed youth", he added.
The Governor expressed the hope that the newly-elected Government, led by a young and dynamic Chief Minister, will address the new found aspirations of the people of the State and particularly focus on bridging the gap between promise, potential and performance.
Earlier, the Governor inspected the parade and took the salute at the march-past of the smartly-attired contingents of the Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, both men and women, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Service, J&K Forest Protection Force, J&K Ex-Servicemen, National Cadet Corps, J&K Sports Council, Civil Defence, children of 20 boys and girls schools.
The highlights of the Celebrations were the display of the Army’s armoured vehicles, display of tableaux – Jewel of the Nation and the Empowerment of Girl child, cultural programmes depicting diverse cultural ethos of the three regions of the State and the country, Mass Physical Display, Gharba, Rajasthani dance, Bhartiyam, Bhangra etc. The main highlight was the dare-devils show by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in which 24 personnel participated.