Tangdhar/Srinagar, August 29 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Sunday said that Union Government is actively working for political solution to Jammu and Kashmir centric issues and expressed hope that the day will not be too far to the settlement of problem amicably and peacefully.
Addressing a large public gathering at Tangdhar, Omar Abdulla welcomed the statement of Union Home Minister recently made in the Parliament regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that right from the day first he has taken the charge of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, he is strongly advocating addressing of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir politically and restoring both external and internal dialogue channels. He said that his government is working as an active facilitator in this regard and would not come in the way of any political shade of opinion in its effort to put forth its view point peacefully in a dialogue process. “In fact my government has proved instrumental in granting passports to the separatist leaders giving them opportunity to discuss their view points across the border or anywhere else”, he said adding that any political effort in a peaceful atmosphere through process of dialogue to address Kashmir issue will always be welcomed and facilitated by his government.
The Chief Minister also expressed the hope that the Union Government will take positive steps in addressing the political issues of Jammu and Kashmir in a sustained dialogue process avoiding the re-occurrence of mistakes done in the past. He said that violence has never solved any problem and the 20 years of gun culture witnessed by the State itself vindicates that gun and violence only yields destruction and bloodshed. He said peaceful and democratic approach to resolve problems is only way out to make positive headway.
“Kashmir issue has political geneses and it has originated with the independence of India and the birth of Pakistan. The over 60 years old problem has become a complex one and requires sustained political efforts by all the stakeholders through a dialogue process to resolve it as per the aspirations of the people of the State”, he said asserting that Indo-Pak talks in this regard are also imperative.
Omar said that he has sought the peoples mandate to address development issues and work for economic welfare of Jammu and Kashmir besides creating employment opportunities for the plethora of unemployed youth. He said during the electioneering he sought the votes for development and his government is keen to fulfill the development promises made to the people. “My government is working in this direction and development of Health, Education, Power, R&B and PHE has been flagged as important concerns”. He said he has also finalized special recruitment programme to engage 50,000 youth in various government departments within next couple of months. “I have already announced this while addressing on the Independence Day”, he added.
Taking a dig on the perpetrators of stone pelting and unabated shut downs, he said that while they are seeking better future and best education for their children, they are destroying the career and education of the children of general public. “By marring the education of students and jeopardizing the future of youth what they are achieving for the state”, he questioned them.
Omar appealed to the people in general and civil society in particular to help the government in its efforts to run the educational institutions so that students receive proper education and are able to sit in the examinations. “The shopkeepers or traders can make the good of their losses by opening the shops and doing the business in evening and morning hours, how shall students recoup the losses they are facing in their education”, he said.
On the development of Tangdhar, the CM said that his government will take up the issue of constructing a tunnel on Sadhna Pass with the Central Government to link up the Tangdhar area with rest of the Valley throughout the year. He said that he will call a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Tangdhar before Darbar Move so that entire government comes at the doorsteps of the people of this backward and far flung area and address the problems confronting them. He said that in order to assess the losses Tangdhar had suffered due to the rains and floods, a Central team is shortly visiting this area so that compensation for the losses is paid to the affected people. He said he has also directed the concerned District Development Commissioner to make assessment of the damages to the crops and property in the area.
He said that he has earmarked Rs. 2 crores for the Degree College at Tangdhar and revenue authorities have been directed to finalize the acquirement of land for the college so that construction process takes place soon. He said he has also directed the concerned to finalize the issue of compensation to the families of 2008 earthquake who have not so far received the same due to various reasons.