Srinagar,July 19 (Scoop News) – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday said that people are the best judges to judge the government on its work done and those who are indulging in false propaganda against the coalition will eat the humble pie in next Assembly Elections in 2014.
Substantiating his statement with facts and figures, Omar Abdullah said that the promises made by his government for holistic and equitable development is showing visible and conspicuous impact on ground across the State. "Propaganda or no propaganda action speaks louder than words and our work on both development and peace fronts is before the people to judge us on our performance", he asserted.
Addressing a huge public gathering at Batpora Shopian after laying foundation of Mini Secretariat and inaugurating Officers’ Hostel, the Chief Minister said that ‘progressive and prosperous’ Jammu and Kashmir is the target of his dispensation and every area is being focused in the development policy being followed in the State in this direction.
The Chief Minister said that the benefits of restoration of peace are being carried to all areas in the shape of development and public empowerment. He said that his government is keen to shift the power seat from Secretariat to grass root level public representatives so that they are involved in decision making and implementation of development schemes. He said establishment of Panchayat Raj and transfer of ample powers to panchayats is an important step in this direction.
"We have empowered panchayats amply. We have sensitized administration in this regard. We have provided both funds and authority to these institutions. Now, it is their duty to act and act in the interest of general public", he said adding that the 3-tier Panchayat Raj System will be in place by the end of this year.
Omar Abdullah referred to the path breaking initiative taken by his government regarding curbing corruption at lower levels causing greater difficulties to the people in getting public services hassle-free. He said by enacting and implementing Public Service Guarantee Act his government has made delivery of some 70 services in 7 departments time bound. "Now, people are empowered enough to demand these services within the stipulated time frame fixed for such services", he said adding that the laxity or failure on the part of any official in service delivery will amount to fining and punishing him. He said that the affected consumer will get the compensation out of the fine imposed on the erring official.
On the development of Shopian, the Chief Minister said that 349 new primary schools have been opened in Shopian district besides upgrading 234 primary schools to upper primary level and 19 middle schools to high school level. He said 795 teachers were engaged and 219 primary school and 31 middle school buildings constructed.
Omar Abdullah said that 48 schemes have been taken up for improvement and upgradation of drinking water supply system in the district. He said 10 water supply schemes with an estimated cost of Rs. 25.87 crores have been completed during the last year benefiting 40 villages. He said another 8 schemes are being completed this year at a cost of Rs. 24.22 crores to benefit 61 villages. He said 10 irrigation schemes with a total cost of Rs. 13.98 crores have been completed last year benefitting 69 villages while 4 irrigation schemes at a cost of Rs. 3.17 crores are being completed during this year.
The Chief Minister said that 39 road schemes have been completed under PMGSY at a cost of Rs. 42.39 crores. He said Rs. 15 crores were spent on the development of roads in the district during the last year. He said Rs. 9.14 crore Turkwangam Bridge on Nallah Ranbir is in last stage of completion while 30 kilometre road length has been black topped and another 30 kilometers will be black topped this year. He said Rambiara Bridge at a cost of Rs. 5.98 crore is under construction while the construction of Reshi Nagri Bridge at Rs. 17 crores has been taken in hand. He said that 143 habitations are being electrified at a cost of Rs. 7.71 crores and a Grid Station costing Rs. 25.89 crores will be commissioned this year.
Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla, Vice Chairman Legislative Council, M. Y. Tang, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for R&B, Javid Ahmad Dar, Legislator, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri, former legislator Showkat Ahmad Kaloo, Provincial President National Conference, Ali Mohammad Dar and District President, National Conference, Shabir Ahmad Kulley also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, interacting with fruit growers at Shopian Fruit Mandi, the Chief Minister said that he would direct the concerned department to take all measures in making Shopian Fruit Mandi one of the best Fruit Mandis in the State. "We want Shopian to be known for both for apple production and for state of the art Fruit Market coming up here. Our endeavour will be to bring traders at your doorsteps so that you have not to move outside in this regard", he told the fruit growers adding that an area of 500 kanals has been earmarked and identified for development of new fruit mandi at Shopian on modern lines where every facility for trade and commerce will be made available. He said that the mandi will be connected with railway line so that dispatches to terminal markets take place through rail also.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation of Rs. 36.97 crore – Mini Secretariat at Arhama Shopian and inaugurated Officers’ Hostel at Chowgam constructed at cost of over Rs. 3 crores.