In his Independence Day message to the people,Mr. Abdullah while congratulating the people on the eve of Independent Day said that peace is imperative for development and state has witnessed a saga of disturbance and gun culture which claimed thousands of precious human lives, created plethora of un-employed youth, disbalanced economic growth and gave severe jolt to development and progress. “Thousands of lives were lost, lakhs of artisans, laborers, educated youth, small business holders, shopkeepers lost their bread and the continuous and unabated hartals shattered the economy and put the tourism and handicrafts sector in bad shape”, he added
Chief Minister reiterated his government’s determination to uphold the human rights under all circumstances adding that the violators of HR would be dealt with severe hand of whatsoever status they may be. He said that he has categorically made it clear that the protection of human rights would be the benchmark of his government. “With regard to Shopian incident, I have amply made it clear that government would not hide any information and punish the culprits severely. I stand firmly for my promise and reassure the people on this day that the persons behind this heinous crime would not be allowed to got scot free”, he said and added that the government would transparently dig out the culprits.
Omar said that
He said the slogan of Hindu-Muslim-Sikh unity given by Sher-i-Kashmir is still reverberating from the flowery gardens of valley, plains of
The Chief Minister said that he wants to open a new chapter of good governance in the state in which government, administration and people will ensure progress and social development through collective efforts. He said “to eradicate poverty and make J&K a model state, I need cooperation of the people, politicians, intellectuals and employees”. He said all of us should be sensitive to wards our responsibilities and discharge duties for nation and the country. He said the total income of J&K from its own resources is about Rs. 4330 crore while the annual wage bill for our employees comes to Rs. 7100 crore. In addition, he said the state spends Rs. 2200 crore on purchase of power against which only revenue of Rs. 700 crore in the shape of power tarrif is generated in the state, which is not a good sign of healthy nations.
Omar expressed his gratitude to the Government of India especially Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi for their massive financial support. He said Center Government has approved Rs. 5500 crore annual plan besides providing Rs. 1200 crore under PMRP. “This is a huge and whopping amount posing a challenge for judicious utilization in full. The amount is to be expended on general social welfare, progress and development which is our prime responsibility”, he said.
The Chief Minister said that his government is fulfilling commitments made with the Sate Employees one by one. He said we have implemented 6th Pay Commission and provided salaries to the employees from July this year as per new scales. He said even 19 states have not implemented 6th Pay Commission in the country.
He said implementation of 6th Pay Commission has brought additional burden of Rs. 1600 crore to our state exchequer. He said government has also promised to pay arrears to its employees amounting to about Rs. 4300 crore. For payment of these arrears, the government has requested 13th Finance Commission, he said adding the arrears would be paid to the employees as soon as resources become available.
“I don’t think there is any need for observing strike when government and employees have not any conflict on the basic issue”, he said adding the all time high annual plan of Rs. 5500 crore will be spent on public works even as he reiterated that public service constituted common agenda of government and employees which in no way could be ignored.
He said creating employment avenues for the youths tops the agenda of his government. He said in this regard many provisions have been made in this year’s budget. Among other things, establishment of Overseas Employment Corporation, skill development, promotion of small scale industries and effective implementation of self-employment schemes constitute some of the measures towards this direction. A special package has been prepared for the women as well, he added.
Omar said that the government has already announced regularization of 6000 adhoc and contractual employees apart from increasingly daily wages of workers to Rs. 110 from Rs. 70. He said salaried of doctors working in remote areas have been nearly doubled and 41,000 more vacancies referred to recruitment agencies.
The Chief Minister said alongwith expediting the process of filling up of vacancies, the government is expanding industrial base in the state in private sector so that thousands of un-employed youth get employment opportunities. He said the magnitude of unemployment can be gauged from the fact that presently 1.20 lakh unemployed youth in the state, of which, 25,000 are graduates and post graduates. He said about 12,000 people were provided employment in the last 7 months through different recruitment agencies while many more vacancies were created afresh. He said government employment is not, however solution to the problem. “We have to work on large scale other than government employment to tackle the un-employment challenge”, he added.
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