J&K CM meets PM,Reiterates need for sustained efforts to start dialogue

               New Delhi/Jammu, October 04 (Scoop News) –Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here on Monday, reiterated the need for sustained efforts of entering into dialogue with all shades of opinion in the State for addressing and settling the issues confronting peace in the State.

                During the meeting with Dr. Singh, Omar Abdullah discussed various matters pertaining to the development and law and order scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.

                The Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister about the progress and the impact of the initiatives taken by the State and the Central governments for restoration of peace and normalcy in the Valley. He also discussed measures to be taken to further push the peace initiatives. He expressed the hope that the complete normalcy will return to the Valley soon.

                Highlighting the urgent requirement for enhanced job opportunities for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to address the unemployment crisis, the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister for early initiatives for creating job opportunities under the Rangarajan Committee constituted by the Prime Minister for the purpose.  He pointed out that the State has submitted two position papers to the Rangarajan Committee detailing the areas which need to be harnessed for expanding the job opportunity orbit in the State. He said the papers among other sectors have identified agriculture, handloom, industries, tourism, etc to work out the initiatives for job opportunities for the youth of the State.

                Omar Abdullah presented the resume of the rehabilitation programme under execution in Leh for the affected families in the cloud-burst and flash floods that hit the Leh district. He said that the efforts were on to complete the rehabilitation programme before the onset of winter. The Chief Minister said that the Empowered Committee constituted by the State government under the Chief Secretary to oversee and monitor the rehabilitation programme has recently met and reviewed the pace on the rehabilitation process. “The representatives from National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have also attended the meeting. The community shelter sheds were being constructed at accelerated pace and the construction of houses at Solar Colony, Leh given considerable forward push”, he said adding that the construction material like iron, cement, wood, etc. has been made available adequately at Leh.

                Giving details of development process in the State, the Chief Minister said that despite hindrances due to law and order situation in the parts of the Valley, the development schemes were more or less carried on as per the prescribed schedule especially in the rural, far-flung and backward areas.

                Omar Abdullah also discussed issues relating to the Hajj flights from Srinagar Airport and stressed the need for providing every facility to the 6775 Hajjis intending to perform the Hajj this year. He highlighted the measures to be taken by the Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure hassle-free Hajj flights from Srinagar Airport.

                The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the UPA Chairperson for extending full financial and logistic support to the State government in its effort to give fillip to the development programmes and bring back normalcy.

                The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister of all Central help in resolving the issues confronting the State. He also assured all help for the smooth conduct of Hajj fights for Jammu and Kashmir Azimeen-i-Hajj. The Prime Minister also assured early action for job initiatives under Rangarajan Committee.

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