Kathua, Nov 10: Crediting himself for making major developmental intervention in Jammu and Kashmir, union health minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Wednesday asked Omar Abdullah-led coalition government to complete the development projects taken up across the state during the former’s tenure as chief minister of the state.
“I framed policies which were largely in consonance with the welfare of the poor people and at the same time initiated developmental projects at large-scale to bridge the infrastructural gap for faster economic growth,” Azad said, while addressing a public gathering at Kali Bari in district Kathua on the ‘martyrs day’ observed since past 12 years to commemorate the death of local force personnel.
The central government has taken over most of the burden of the state and provided all possible help for all round development of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Azad said giving away of ownership rights on the government land to the people under Roshni Act was the historical welfare measure taken by the Congress led coalition under his chief ministership.
Describing unemployment as the major challenge confronting the state and the country as a whole, he said   government can not provide jobs to everyone and suggested youth to take benefit of the centrally sponsored self-employment schemes.
Referring to the proposed establishment of Ayurvedic and Unani Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar respectively, the union minister said that Rs 22 crore each for taking up the projects in the twin capitals would be soon released to meet the long standing demand of the people.
He also announced establishment of sub zonal office of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization in the State, which will facilitate immediate registration and licensing for concerned units.
“Our main thrust is to modernise the medical facilities, even at the village level for the better health care of people,” Azad added.
Later, Member of Parliament Choudhary Lal Singh came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janta Party and other organisations which supported Jammu bandh.
Jammu is not the property of any political party, MP Singh said, while appealing people not to support such calls in future.
Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Member Parliament, Minister of State for Cooperative, Dr Manohar Lal and Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan were also present.
Later Azad also attended Diwali Milan here.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST