Handwara, July 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that his Government was committed to facilitate talks on Kashmir.
“My Government is committed to facilitate dialogue between all shades of opinion in the State and the Central Government. We are positively working in this direction. We also favour sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan”, he said maintaining that this is the only way forward to address political issues politically in a democratic atmosphere. He sought wholehearted public support for the success of this task.
The Chief Minister was addressing the civil society at Handwara today as part of his programme to reach out to people. “When effective democratic means are available to register protests and make one’s viewpoint across, there is no reason of perpetrating violence and putting general public to hardships and difficulties”, he added.
Omar Abdullah said that lock-outs and hartals only lead to public discomfort and badly tell upon the education of children. “These tactics are in no way in anybody’s interest. These only mar the livelihood opportunities of poor and hamper the process of economic growth.”
“When the platform of talks is available to all shades of opinion, what is the need of disturbing peaceful life of the people”, he questioned.
The Chief Minister taking a dig on those ‘who instigate adolescent children for stone pelting,’ said that this is most unfortunate behaviour of politicians who mar the future of young generation while protecting the interests of their own children.
The Chief Minister said that he is representing the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir in and outside the State and always raises and advocates economic and political interests of the people of the State at all fronts at the national level.
On development issues, the Chief Minister asked the people to keep eye on the works and ensure schemes are completed as per the specification and in the prescribed time frame. “You are the real monitors of works,” he said and asked them to report to him every aspect of implementation process on development front.
The Chief Minister impressed upon the Government functionaries at all levels to recognize their responsibility towards public and render their service with full degree of sincerity and honesty. He said Government employees should remember that they are paid for rendering their duties for public services delivery and hartal days will not be counted as paid holidays for them.
Omar said that his government has approved Development Authorities for Bungus and Lolab valleys to ensure balanced and integrated development of these famous tourist areas. “This action of the government would help showcase Lolab and Bungus for national and international tourism and open new vistas of economic development for the people living here.
A Government spokesman said that representatives of Handwara Bar Association, Traders Federation, Fruit Growers Union, Numberdar Association, Youth Organizations and various prominent citizens spoke in the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST