Gurez-Dawer (J&K), August 22 (Vijay Kumar) – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister,Omar Abdullah said that coalition government is determined to open a new chapter in the development history of Jammu and Kashmir where every area would get equal share in the economic growth and all round progress. “We have received huge annual plan of Rs. 5500 crore besides Rs. 1200 crore under PMRP to carry forward the development of Jammu and Kashmir on fast track”, he said expressing gratitude to UPA government, Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi for the liberal financial support to the Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing public meetings at Tulail and Dawer in Gurez Assembly Constituency of North-Eastern Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said that the funds provided by the Centre this year are over and above the allocations Jammu and Kashmir was due for getting as per its population and area. “On the criterion of population and area, the Jammu and Kashmir State was due to get maximum of Rs. 3500 crore annual plan but thanks to the UPA government and its leadership that it granted highest ever annual plan of Rs. 5500 crore to the State”, he maintained.
Mr. Abdullah said that upliftment of rural and far-off areas tops the development agenda of the government and efforts are afoot to catapult the process of progress and development in these areas to bring them at par with developed villages and towns so far as availability of basic amenities and economic opportunities are concerned.
He that people should be taken on board in the process of plan formulation and execution of works according to the requirement of particular area.
Chief said that involvement of people in the process of planning and development is sine-qua-non to meet their development aspirations especially in remote, far-flung and cut-off areas like Gurez, Tulail, Tangdar, Drass, Zanskar, Karnah, Padder, Marwah, Dachhan, Warwan, etc.
Mr. Omar thanked the people for reposing faith in his government and extending their support during the Assembly and Parliamentary Elections. “You have done your job, it is now the duty of your representative and the administration to fulfill the promises made to you during electioneering”, he said adding that the government would keep no stone unturned in keeping its promises regarding the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to the difficulties the people in remote areas face for getting beleaguered in winter months due to the blockade of road communication by heavy snowfall, he said that government is actively considering hiring of M-17 helicopter service for these areas. This will enable to make aerial communication available for the cut-off areas for commuting passengers and essentials in the severe winter.
The Chief Minsiter said that the work on 32 kms long Tulail-Drass road project would be accelerated to ensure its completion within the targeted timeframe so that people of this mountainous area gets facilitated and the villages showcased for tourism activities.
Mr. Abdullah said that his government is also working out a plan and identifying locations where tunnels could be bored in the mountains to connect the cut-off areas with main highways and reduce the distances between major districts and the mountainous villages. He said a tunnel on Razdan-Pass to open up Gurez is also under active consideration of the government.
Mr. Omar said that there is great potential for harnessing non-conventional energy sources in Gurez and he will take up the matter of generating electricity from solar energy, with the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah so that every household in Gurez Valley would get solar power.
The Chief Minister said that for the youth of Gurez constituency special package for police recruitment will be considered and Union Home Ministry approached for launching similar recruitment drive for recruiting the locals in security forces.
Earlier, Omar inaugurated the Gurez festival during which the cultural heritage, tourism potential and the high traits of brotherhood and love of the area are being exhibited through various activities. He said that such festival should be made an annual affair.
The Chief Minister who arrived here alongwith Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora and Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Political Advisor to Chief Minister,. Devender Singh Rana from Kargil on Friday afternoon was received by the enthusiastic crowds warmly. Omar was greeted with welcome banners, flags and slogans raised in favour of his person, his party and the government.