■ Govt Committed To Uphold Human Rights
■ Guilty Won’t Be Allowed To Go Scot Free
■ Our Actions Speak Louder Than Words
■ 8% Reservation In Job Bill A Compulsion

Qalambad, (Kupwara), Apr 20: The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that blood of Kashmiris is not cheap and any force personnel involved in human rights violations would be dealt with severely.
In an apparent reference to the killing of a 70-year old man allegedly in a fake encounter in this frontier district last week, Omar said, “The blood of innocent people in JK is not so cheap that those responsible for shedding it will be allowed to go scot free. We will ensure justice to every sufferer as has been done by us in various such cases during the past 15 months.”
Omar while addressing a gathering at Qalamabad here, 85 kms north of Srinagar, said, “My government’s track record speaks loud and clear about our commitment towards zero tolerance to human rights violations.”
The Chief Minister said that he believes in actions rather than words. “We neither blow trumpet nor we create hype about any issue through media,” he added.
Referring to the inter-district recruitment bill passed recently by the legislature, Omar said, “To have eight percent reservation for scheduled caste was a compulsion.” However, he was quick to add, that ban on inter-district recruitments would prove to be a boon for the locals.
“Now you will get jobs in your own districts. Ninety two per cent population will get benefited by the new policy. In PDP’s regime it was made a free for all affair surrendering the domicile rights of the people living in districts,” he added.
Omar said that his government would be known as the period of development, progress and welfare. “Equitable progress of all areas with special focus on the double speeded development in rural backward areas is our endeavour”, he said and assured people that  the government will leave no stone unturned in proving its mettle on account of delivery of basic amenities.
The Chief Minister said that during the 15 months special attention has been paid to upgrade and improve road communication sector in the state. More than 50 bridges have been constructed during this period while equal number of bridges are under various stages of execution.
On the development of Langate constituency, Omar said that four bridges at the cost of over Rs 12.50 crore have been constructed in the constituency during last 15 months connecting scores of villages and benefiting thousands of people.
He said that construction and upgradation work of various roads was in progress in Langate at a cost of Rs.2.70 crore while four community centres involving Rs 1.40 crore and a sub-district hospital costing Rs.3.70 crore were under fast track execution in Langate constituency.
On tourism potential of the area and the steps Government was taking to showcase Lolab and Bungus valley for and international tourism, the Chief Minister said that a Development Authority for the purpose is being envisaged. “This will give new imputes to tourism related activities in the area generating jobs for youth and boosting the economy.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated two important bridges on Nallah Mawar in the constituency. The Rs.4.58 crore 130 meters long steel concrete bridge at Kutlary Mawar would benefit a population of over 20,000 residing in 8 villages.
The Rs.4.06 crore 110 meters long bridge inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Kalamchakla would benefit 40,000 populations of 11 villages.
Later, Omar also inaugurated Pahari Hostel at Dudwan in Kupwara. The hostel constructed at a cost of over Rs.92.78 lakh was the cherished demand of the Pahari speaking people of the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for R&B, G. M. Saroori gave detailed account of the major bridge and road works completed in the state during last 15 months.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo said that the government led by the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah was keen to ameliorate the lot of poor people especially belonging to weaker sections of the society.
The Minister of State for PHE, Nasir Aslam Wani gave resume of various achievements registered by the government under the dynamic leadership of Omar. He said a new direction had been given to the development policy mobilizing the administration at all levels with the direction to be at the beck and call of the people.
The Minister of State for R&B, Javed Ahmed Dar in his speech lauded the keen interest of the Chief Minister in the development of under-developed and far off villages. He said various initiatives initiated by Omar have started yielding fruits.
The public meeting was also addressed by the MLA Langate, Er Rashid.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST