Jammu ,January, 19 (Vijay Kumar) – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah while addressing gathering assembled in Swankha, Vijaypur in Jammu division said,“Indo-Pak relationship has direct bearing on the developmental activities of Jammu and Kashmir State, therefore, it is always in the best interests of this border state that both the countries live in amicable, friendly, peaceful and cordial atmosphere”.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that it is also in the interest of Pakistan to have good relations with India and avoid approach of confrontation. He said they should realize that situation in their country is deteriorating. He hoped that all forces will play their role in strengthening peace.
The Chief Minister said that our Government which has completed its one year in office believes in action rather than mere and hollow slogans. He said people of J&K still remember the slogans and the false promises made by some for giving two jobs in each family. However, the fate of their slogans is also known to all. He said that his Government has for the first time documented employment-oriented policy which covers all the aspects of the unemployment problem and has chalked out well planned measures to deal with the same. However, he said, the same is still open to further suggestions as well. He said we want to create multi-dimensional job avenues for youth besides Government jobs. He said earlier, outside companies would come in our State use our land, water, electricity and other resources but didn’t provide jobs to our youth on the pretext of training and other skill qualifications. He said now onwards it would be mandatory for every outside company to provide employment to locals.
The Chief Minister expressed thanks to UPA Chairperson, s. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for their exemplary financial support to the State. He said we have received record plan funds which are being utilized for the welfare of the people. He said that the same time it is his desire that power should not remain concentrated at Civil Secretariat but flow to people. He said it is always ideal that those people who need development of their areas should have power to decide rather than approach secretariat for decisions. He said, he is determined to have panchayat elections this year, so that people’s power becomes supreme and basic fundamental democratic institutions are strengthened.
The Chief Minister said forces have remained always active in creating divisions and fissures between people and make them fight in the name of religion, region and caste. However, he said, I learnt from my grandfather Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and my father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, to unite people and never allow bias of any nature to creep in. He said during our times also these forces tried to create confrontation between two regions in the name of Central University but with the help of Centre we were able to get two Central Universities.
Omar said that concept of establishing model cluster of villages will help in the simultaneous development of rural areas alongwith cities and towns on the same pattern. He said these clusters will be provided with all model facilities like roads, medical, water supply and other amenities. Chief Minster was accompanied by Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Davinder Singh Rana, MLA, Rattan Lal Gupta and s. Bimla Luthra. The Chief Minster and his colleagues were given unprecedented and rousing reception. People assembled on road side and in all nooks and corners when the Chief Minister reached Swankha village to lay foundation stone of Rs. 6.50 crore Model Town covering 12 villages.
In his address, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said National Conference is the name of ideology based on the vision of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who stood like a rock for the unity of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs and other communities. In 1947, when whole sub-continent was burning, it was under the able leadership of late Sheikh that people like Maqbool Sherwani and Master Aziz sacrificed their lives while protecting the honour of their Hindu brethren. He said only this ideology can defeat the communal forces. He said it was always under late Sher e Kashmir and Dr. Farooq and now the young Omar that this ideology is getting more strength and people have started believing that communal and regional amity is better than conflict.
Speaking on the occasion, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Davinder Singh Rana said that it is a matter of pride that under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, the State is poised to be the model state of the country. He said that last one year is clear proof of the fact that whatever decisions were taken for the development of the State, they were translated into action without any delay. He said the Chief Minister, who is always monitoring personally socio developmental activities, has determination and will to usher the State in new horizon of prosperity and growth.