Magam/Srinagar,February 21 (Scoop News) –Expressing satisfaction over the functioning of statutory institutions like State Accountability Commission and State Right to Information Commission, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that it is a matter of happiness for him that his Government has been able to constitute Commissions so powerful to question even the Chief Minister of the State.
"It is my cherished desire to make people powerful and give them legal rights to ask questions to the Government from top to the bottom for every action it takes", he said adding that strengthening of State Accountability Commission and constitution of State Information Commission reflects his this keen desire aimed at bringing transparency in all spheres of government functioning.
Addressing a large public gathering organized by National Conference at Magam, after inaugurating Power Grid Station the Chief Minister also referred to the enactment of historic Public Service Guarantee Act giving powers to general public at grassroots.
The Chief Minister said that the Act has empowered people to obtain 50 public services from 6 departments of Power, Revenue, Housing, Transport, PHE and CAPD within the prescribed time frame. He said any government official responsible for delay or laxity in providing these services to the people in the fixed time limit is liable for punishment and fine upto Rs. 5000 which shall be deducted from his salary and paid as compensation to the affected person.
Omar Abdullah said that peace is imperative to carry forward development and empower people to monitor Government functioning. He said that peaceful 2011 has enabled the Government to carry peace dividends in the shape of development and economic progress to all corners of the State. He said more than 13 lakh visitors visited Jammu and Kashmir last year generating wide-ranging economic activities for people. He said benefits of peace do not restrict with the Government only but these spread to all areas and all sections of the society in one or the other way.
Reiterating his stand that economic development and tourist flow is not related to the settlement of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said that the two or of different nature but equally important to be addressed positively. He asked the people to contribute towards peace so that their all genuine demands on development front get focused for early fulfillment. He said that all promises made by his Government to the people would be realized.
On economic status of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said that the total revenue generation by all means in the State is Rs. 6500 crores while the Government has to pay Rs. 12500 crores salary to the employees besides incurring a loss of over Rs. 2000 crores on supply of electricity. "In this situation you can yourself imagine how difficult it is for the Government to accommodate development demands of the people and generate employment for educated youth in Government services", he said adding that the Government despite all odds is concentrating on all round and inclusive development besides expanding employment market for the youth.
The Chief Minister said that his Government has also focused on harnessing hydro energy adding that this resource of the State holds key to the economic prosperity. He sought the support of the people in reforming the power transmission and distribution system bringing down the leakages and theft particularly in the industrial and commercial sectors. "There are some industrial houses which in conveyance of unscrupulous PDD functionaries inflict heavy losses to the Government on power consumption", he said.
Omar Abdullah said that his Government has provided about Rs. 50 crores to the Panchayats to undertake smaller works in their Halqas as per the requirement of the area. He asked the people to be ready to elect Urban Local Bodies so that the development of towns is carry forward by the public representatives. "My Endeavour is to transfer the powers from Secretariat level to the public representatives at grassroots and involve people in both planning and development of their areas", he maintained.
Chairman, Magam Coordination Committee, Mohammad Ibrahim and its Member Prof. Mohammad Jabbar also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the achievements of the Omar-led Government besides identifying the development demands of the area.