Jammu, January 05 (Scoop News) – Describing unabated support extended by people to his government during last three years as his biggest achievement, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday asserted to continue his endeavours with added vigor and energy to drive Jammu and Kashmir towards peace and prosperity.
Expressing gratitude to the people of the State for their full support to him in steering the State clear of tumult waters, Omar Abdullah said that his highest strength lies in this mass support. “After Almighty Allah if my gratitude is due, it is only to the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, he maintained.
Speaking at a compendium releasing function at the lawns of Civil Secretariat here on completion of the three years of coalition government, Omar Abdullah lauded the unflinching and liberal support extended by Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister, P. Chidambaram and other UPA leadership in helping the State to register substantial achievements in all sectors of development and strengthening ties between coalition partners.
Omar Abdullah also referred to the support extended to him by his Council of Ministers in driving the growth positively and taking development to all areas. He also mentioned the support of Administration and government employees of all categories in implementation of government policy aimed at welfare of the State and the people.
“My efforts for making Jammu and Kashmir a model State in the Country would continue in next three years with more zest and commitment. I want to make the State an example of peace and progress”, he said adding that nurturing mutual brotherhood and equitable development of all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh would continue to be the guiding principle of coalition government’s policy during the next half of its tenure.
Making reference to the words of Charles Deceans – “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times” – in his novel Tale of Two Cities, the Chief Minister said that the last three year tenure of the coalition government was the replica of the essence of these words. “We saw the best days and the worst ones, but the support of people remained with us throughout”, he said giving all credit to the people for supporting him and his government to face the challenges successfully.
Omar Abdullah identified three sectors of peace, unemployment and electricity as thrust areas for focusing during the next half of the tenure of his government and said that the war against corruption will continue with same force and perspective. He said efforts would be redoubled to achieve the development goals. “We want to face the people with ‘our heads up’ at the end of the tenure”, he said elaborating that the government would live up to the faith and trust reposed by people of the State in it.
“The achievements registered in all the fields of development during the last three years have been presented in a compendium”, he said adding that every public demand might not have been fulfilled, but the government is firm on his commitment to reach out to the people in every area of the State on development front and fulfill the promises made to them one by one. “The welfare of the people and progress of the State has always loomed large in our mind and heart”, he said maintaining that every effort of the government will be in the betterment of the people.
The Chief Minister said that enactment and implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) bringing six public service giving departments under it, is a significant achievement of the government to guarantee public service in a fixed time frame. “People in the Country are threatening hunger strikes for such a law but we have implemented it in the State without any noise”, he said.
“We have reconstituted State Accountability Commission in the State and Chief Minister is under its purview”, he said making mention of the debate on the constitution of Lokpal in the Parliament and on the question of bringing Prime Minister under its ambit.
The Chief Minister also referred to the holding of Panchayat Elections and transferring powers to these basic democratic units. “We have empowered people in the villages and we are going to empower them in the towns by holding Urban Local Body elections”, he said adding that the third tier of government in the form of elected Municipal Councils and Corporations would be in place shortly.
Omar Abdullah assured the people that he would continue to use his authority as Chief Minister in the interest of public, State and the Country. “Cause of people will be dearest and above all priorities to us. We will put in all efforts in making the next three years best years of peace, progress, pubic welfare and prosperity”, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand said that the coalition between two secular parties of National Conference and Congress constituted by the union leadership headed by Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh was a visionary decision aimed at achieving peaceful, progressive and secure Jammu and Kashmir.
Tara Chand said that vision of the National leadership is being translated into reality by the coalition government led by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. “We have made considerable dent in all fields of development registering significant achievements”, he said mentioning the progress made in the fields of electricity, health, tourism, water supply, roads, education and other sectors. “The list of achievements is so long that it cannot be narrated in a speech”, he said making reference to the release of compendium containing the three year’s major achievements of the coalition government.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the huge infrastructure development programme launched by the Azad-led government has been completed by the present dispensation. He said Azad Sahib’s government created new districts and present government has provided necessary paraphernalia and is constructing Mini Secretariats in each newly created district.
The Deputy Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to the UPA government, its Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh for extending full support to the State in its efforts to realize development and peace goals. He also mentioned the financial support extended by the UPA government to the State during last three years.
Tara Chand said that under the dynamic leadership of Omar Abdullah, the coalition government would continue to strive for peaceful and progressive Jammu and Kashmir. “We would continue to work vigorously to strengthen the secular traits of the State and move on path to equitable development of all areas with determination and commitment”, he said adding that the next three years of Omar-led coalition government would witness accelerated development in all sectors.
In the opening remarks, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal said that since the assumption of office, the present government has embarked on the path of peace and harmony driven by the principles of equitable development of all the regions of the State.
“Towards this end, the government evolved a multi-dimensional strategy aimed at promoting good governance, efficient service delivery, eliminating malpractices and corruption. We realize that a people-friendly administration is possible only by strengthening the institutions of service delivery and development of human capacities”, he said adding that in keeping with National priorities, the State government identified water, electricity, healthcare, roads, education, employment and better governance as the thrust areas for development. He said that emphasis has also been given to developing the core competencies in traditional sectors of handicrafts, tourism and horticulture.
The Chief Secretary said that during the past three years State government made significant progress in realizing goals. He said the major achievements made during past three years include the measures for bringing transparency and improving governance in the State which is high on the government’s agenda.
Terming PSGA a historic legislation, Madhav Lal said that to provide speedy services to the public within a specified time frame, the six departments have been brought under the purview of the Act in first instance. He mentioned State Information Commission, appointment of Public Information Officers in all Departments, amendment to J&K State Vigilance Commission Act, reconstitution of State Accountability Commission and making Human Rights Commission fully functional as significant achievements of the coalition government.
Madhav Lal also referred to the elections of Panchayats and transfer of functions, functionaries and finance to these institutions adding that powers are being devolved to these institutions in a phased manner to enable these to function with greater autonomy.
He also mentioned e-governance initiatives and functioning of Grievance Cell in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat saying that the people can mail their grievances to the Cell round the clock.
On liberal funding by the union government, the Chief Secretary said that the State has received about Rs. 18000 crore as plan allocation during last three years besides Rs. 3600 crore under PMRP. “Similarly under the centrally sponsored schemes, State has received about Rs. 600 crore during these three years”, he added.
The Chief Secretary said that a strong monitoring mechanism has been put in place and the Chief Minister personally reviews the progress in District Board Meetings and monitors mega-projects. “A Monitoring Cell has been set up in the Chief Minister’s Office to monitor the implementation of various development schemes”, he said adding that third party monitoring has been introduced in the State for the first time.
Madhav Lal also talked about SKEWPY, micro credit loan and interest subsidy to artisans and skill development mission adding that the list of achievements of the coalition government is long enough to be mentioned in a speech. “We are committed to taking steps to further widen and deepen the reforms process, and to fructify the dream of building a strong, united, vibrant and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir under the stewardship of our Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah”, he concluded.
Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department, Mohammad Syed also spoke on the occasion.
The President, Non-Gazetted Employees Union, Rouf Ahmad presented vote of thanks and highlighted the dynamism and public-friendly attitude of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. He said that the government led by Omar Abdullah has created history in the last three years by introducing innovative initiatives in the fields of development and public welfare.
He also mentioned the employee-friendly policy of Omar Abdullah and referred to the granting of 6th pay commission, arrears and timely release of DA installments to the employees by the government. He also pinpointed the endeavours of Omar-led government for creating enhanced job-market for youth both in public and private sector.
The members of Council of Ministers, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Vice Chairpersons of various Advisory Boards, Legislators, Administrative Secretaries, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Bank, officers, employees and media persons were present on the occasion.
(Jammu, January (Scoop News) – We regret to our readers/subscribers that due to some NET problem (Broadband, BSNL) since December 24,2011,the web site www.scoopnews.in could not be updated.)
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