Srinagar, October 08 (Scoop News) –While appreciating the role of media in projecting the facts in real perspective particularly covering each event of the Assembly and Council proceedings during its various sessions, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that this fourth pillar of the democracy have proved its credibility.
He said that he is personally watching the role of media in disseminating the information in positive manner and acknowledging during recent days. He has been witnessing their un-biased projection through print and electronic medium. He said legislative Assembly is the main democratic forum were the proceedings remain recorded forever therefore it was the opportunity for the opposition to get their opinion, viewpoints properly recorded but unfortunately they prefer to speak outside the Assembly rather than expressing their opinion through recorded proceedings.
He said the present assembly proceedings became more vibrant, effective as a result of efficient coverage by different prestigious media agencies and establishments.
Highlighting the importance of pro-active opposition and vigilant media in a democratic set up, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that checks and balances in democracy are ensured by these two important agencies.
“In order to strengthen and nurture democratic institutions, the role of opposition in the Houses and media functioning to report proceedings are equally important”.
Speaking at an Award giving function in Legislature Complex here, the Chief Minister said that identification of weaknesses in the functioning of the government and advocating public issues in the legislature is prime responsibility of the opposition.
“But the opposition in our legislature chose to remain away from the proceedings and instead raised issues outside the Houses. Such a practice tells upon the functioning of democratic institutions. It also makes the government functioning easy in the legislature. We want opposition should make the government answerable in the Houses and strengthen the democratic institutions”, he said.
The Chief Minister lauded the role of press in giving due coverage to the proceeding of the Houses and making public aware of the happenings in the legislature. “Your true reporting and commentaries have provided ample opportunity to the people to make opinions about the working of the legislature and the legislators”, he told the media persons present on the occasion.
Omar Abdullah said that the analysis and viewpoints of media on the proceedings and functioning of legislature are also significant in strengthening democratic set up. He appreciated media for the role they played during the current session.
The Chief Minister gave away best legislator award, prizes and mementoes to the Press on the occasion.
Congratulating Ch. Mohammad Ramzan for being adjudged the best legislator for the year 2009, the Chief Minister highlighted his legislative ability and endeavours for ventilating public issues in the House. He said the main duty of the legislators is to raise public issues in the House and work for seeking redressal of peoples’ grievances, making government answerable.
The Chief Minister also greeted the Daily Excelsior, Kashmir News Service (KNS) and United News of India (UNI) for bagging first, second and third prizes respectively for the coverage of proceedings during the 2009. He also congratulated the 31 members of the Press Advisory Committee for receiving the mementoes on the occasion.
Earlier, Speaker, Mohammad Akbar Lone presented the resume of the nature and the objective of awards and said that the best legislator award has been launched in 2000 and since then it is being awarded to the best legislators selected by a Committee comprising of eminent legislators and former Speakers.
The Speaker said that the prizes for the press are also being finalized by Press Award Committee. He congratulated the recipients of the best legislator award and media persons. He also appreciated the role of Press Advisory Committee in helping him in the smooth conduct of session. He also lauded the press in giving full coverage to the proceedings of the Houses.
The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Deputy Speaker Legislative Assembly, Legislators, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, senior civil and police officers and media persons were present on the occasion among others.